as in skirmish
a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups
several chairs were knocked over in the scuffle
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to shuffle
to move heavily or clumsily
she scuffled along in shoes that were much too large for her
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to wrestle
to seize and attempt to unbalance one another for the purpose of achieving physical mastery
the burglar and the homeowner briefly scuffled together in the dark
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of scuffle
Jared Wyllys, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
United by music, divided on Israel: Eurovision tensions bubble up in famously neutral Switzerland
At last year’s festival in Sweden, protests against Israel’s participation reached a fever pitch, with police scuffling with protesters as fans lined up to enter the stadium.
—Andrew Jones, NBC news, 16 May 2025
The Angels’ offense scuffled through five scoreless innings against right-hander Mitch Spence and two more against right-hander Michael Kelly.
—Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 11 June 2025
In that closeout Game 6, Andrew Nembhard erupted for 14 points on 6-of-12 shooting, eight assists and six steals after scuffling for most of the series.
—Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for scuffle
Verb
The Cubs could look to the scuffling Orioles for help on that front.
—Jared Wyllys, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
United by music, divided on Israel: Eurovision tensions bubble up in famously neutral Switzerland
At last year’s festival in Sweden, protests against Israel’s participation reached a fever pitch, with police scuffling with protesters as fans lined up to enter the stadium.
—Andrew Jones, NBC news, 16 May 2025
The Angels’ offense scuffled through five scoreless innings against right-hander Mitch Spence and two more against right-hander Michael Kelly.
—Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 11 June 2025
In that closeout Game 6, Andrew Nembhard erupted for 14 points on 6-of-12 shooting, eight assists and six steals after scuffling for most of the series.
—Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for scuffle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scuffle
Noun
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Yet Villa were short of cash and the lack of financial headroom brought skirmishes with profit and sustainability rules (PSR).—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
8 July 2025
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Could a Stronger Federal System Have Prevented the Texas Disaster and is this even the question to ask? America’s approach to disaster relief has long been one of the recurring skirmishes in the larger political theatre of governance.—
Alexander Puutio,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
Verb
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All week, campers were shuffled from one activity to the next, mixing games, prayers and church services with lectures that coincide with lessons from the Bible.—
Paul Bersebach,
Oc Register,
12 July 2025
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Guevara, 47, has been shuffled through three detention sites despite Immigration Judge James Ward’s decision to grant him bond on July 1, according to The Associated Press.—
Ashleigh Fields,
The Hill,
9 July 2025
Verb
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The city, county and state all recently wrestled with deficits and the federal government has been both slashing its workforce and attempting to reduce the size of health care programs like Medicaid.—
Blake Nelson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 July 2025
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In a recent interview, the WWE Hall of Famer opened up about his motivations for continuing to wrestle and his thoughts on retirement.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 July 2025
Noun
-
President Donald Trump broke his silence one day after reports of a clash between U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino about the release of a memo regarding Jeffrey Epstein, which prompted conservatives on social media to call for the president to fire her.—
Peter Aitken,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 July 2025
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Steve Garcia When the betting odds were first published for the Calvin Kattar vs. Steve Garcia featherweight clash, Garcia was listed as a -140 betting favorite over the +115 Kattar.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
Verb
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Hegseth, a former Fox TV host who has stumbled through several controversies during his six months in office, sat silently next to Trump without volunteering any information about the decision that apparently came on his watch.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
9 July 2025
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Designed specifically for those who wish to explore the shops, restaurants and cultural experiences of the district, The Tokyo EDITION, Ginza is within stumbling distance of every hot spot.—
Terry Elward,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
Verb
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Five engines, two trucks, one squad, three ambulances, and three battalion chiefs assisted in fighting the fire.—
Pioneer Press,
Chicago Tribune,
8 July 2025
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Others point out the irony that, as the government fixated on enforcing the veiling law and cracking down on political dissidents under the pretext of fighting foreign subversion, its actual adversaries were quietly infiltrating its most sensitive institutions.—
MOHAMMAD AYATOLLAHI TABAAR,
Foreign Affairs,
8 July 2025
Noun
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Advertisement The Netanyahu government's prolonging of the war Netanyahu continues to battle with approval ratings amid an ongoing corruption trial back home.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
7 July 2025
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His 2014 film The Grave tells the story of a man who hears about the discovery of a mass grave and escapes from a nursing home to confront his past on the site of the Battle of the Ebro, the longest and largest battle of the Spanish Civil War.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
7 July 2025
Verb
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Complaining on NextDoor about traffic, some locals fled downtown Austin like a movie monster was stomping behind them.—
Ramon Ramirez,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
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Eighteen months ago, playing those songs inspired fans at the Ryman Auditorium to stomp their feet, throw Resistol hats in the air and soak church pews in alcohol for two hours.—
Marcus K. Dowling,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scuffle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scuffle. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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