scuffle

verb

scuf·​fle ˈskə-fəl 

scuffled; scuffling ˈskə-f(ə-)liŋ 

intransitive verb

1

a

: to struggle at close quarters with disorder and confusion

b

: to struggle (as by working odd jobs) to get by

2

a

: to move with a quick shuffling gait : scurry

b

: shuffle

scuffle noun

Synonyms

• barge
• clump
• flog [British]
• flounder
• galumph
• lumber
• lump
• plod
• pound
• scuff
• shamble
• shuffle
• slog
• slough
• stamp
• stomp
• stumble
• stump
• tramp
• tromp
• trudge

Examples of scuffle in a Sentence

Children scuffled on the playground.

Small creatures scuffled in the underbrush.

Recent Examples on the Web

So, yes, the San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks appear to be scuffling at the moment. —Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2024

Ohio State Buckeyes players scuffle with Michigan Wolverines players on Saturday in Columbus, Ohio. —Rebecca Cohen, NBC News, 1 Dec. 2024

Protesters gathered and blocked roads in several other spots across the country, and Israeli TV stations showed images of police scuffling with protesters. —Josef Federman, The Christian Science Monitor, 6 Nov. 2024

That theft charge was later dropped Within seconds of arrival, an officer grabbed McAlpin, who is deaf and has cerebral palsy, and the men scuffled. —Emily Palmer, People.com, 17 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

perhaps frequentative of scuff

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing scuffle

• scuffle hoe

Kids Definition

scuffle

verb

scuf·​fle ˈskəf-əl 

scuffled; scuffling -(ə-)liŋ 

1

: to struggle roughly at close quarters

2

a

: to move with a scuff : scurry

b

: to scuff one's feet

scuffle noun