scrabble 1 of 2

Definition of scrabblenext
1
as in to climb
to move (as up or over something) often with the help of the hands in holding or pulling we scrabbled up a sand dune to get a better view of the sea

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
as in to fumble
to search for something blindly or uncertainly he frantically scrabbled through the storage chest looking for the needed documents

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of scrabble
Noun
In the early 90s, Nigeria’s central government recognized scrabble as a sport. — Oluwatosin Adeshokan, Quartz Africa, 8 Nov. 2019 Across the street from her, a kinetic scrabble of orange and blue runs the height of a five-story brick building like an electric charge. — Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 27 July 2019
Verb
The actress and producer has had great success in recent years, turning her talents to working behind the scenes of comedies about young people scrabbling their way through life. — Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 2 June 2026 In the new South, one scrabbling to industrialize, business owners could now hire unpaid labor through the penal system. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 26 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scrabble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrabble
Noun
  • Together, the songs take longtime Prine fans and new followers more deeply into his vivid approach to songwriting, which gave voice to the lives, emotions, struggles and celebrations of everyday people.
    — Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The heat is sweltering, mosquitoes buzz around the apartment and routine tasks are a constant struggle.
    — Catherine Ellis, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • But as stock prices climb and bond yields increase, that relative advantage is diminishing, leaving less room for equities to absorb higher rates.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
  • London — Oil prices climbed Thursday on continued worries about global supply following a record number of tanker attacks that sent crossings through the Strait of Hormuz to a two-month low.
    — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Specifically, Nico Iamaleava struggled, fumbling once and throwing interceptions to Oregon’s Koi Perich and Jerry Mixon.
    — Elias Esquivel, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Irving scored his second touchdown of the game to further the Bucs’ lead, and Prescott wouldn’t even get the ball back after KaVontae Turpin fumbled the ensuing kickoff, which Tampa Bay recovered.
    — Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • In yet another battle between the states and social media platforms, Florida asked a state judge to order changes on Instagram and Facebook in an effort to protect young users.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026
  • At the same time, Hollister was also engaged in a lengthy courtroom battle with Perry and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles over the rights to another property, a Los Feliz convent the singer hoped to turn into a private home.
    — Mickey Rapkin, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The future of data center opposition With Pennsylvania’s gubernatorial election coming up next month, candidates’ stances on data center development could further scramble traditional partisan divides.
    — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
  • With clients walking out and a competitor putting the agency’s standing at risk, the siblings scramble to save both their income and what their mother built.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Given it was greenlit by a streamer, this one looks set to work on digital platforms as well as linear TV.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
  • What was once a contemporary exploration of horror has become a sentimental aesthetic, with this particular version of 2011 looking ironically idealistic because younger viewers never had to live inside it.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 6 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Producer Kang Jeongwon was struck by the film’s central contradiction, that a fight to protect a family can upend its daily life.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Choudri also made headlines earlier this year after the authority put him on leave after police arrested him at his Folsom home following a fight between his daughter and fiancée.
    — Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 10 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Matching my best safari sightings over the years, the sight of a mother helping her calf deftly navigate the mighty Zambezi and clamber up the muddy banks moves me to tears.
    — Charukesi Ramadurai, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Commercial satellite operators are already clambering to claim space on Falcon 9s as the final sales are made.
    — Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Scrabble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrabble. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on scrabble

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!