SCUFFLE Synonyms: 126 Similar and Opposite Words

scuffle 1 of 2

noun

Definition of scuffle

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

truce

scuffle

2 of 2

verb

ˈskə-fəl

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

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

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 scuffle

Noun

Three Argentina players — Leandro Paredes, Nahuel Molina and Thiago Almada — were recently handed bans by FIFA for a scuffle after losing the the World Cup final. — ABC News, 15 Sep. 2026 South Lake Tahoe Mayor Cody Bass on Tuesday was ordered to serve 10 days in the Douglas County Jail for a misdemeanor harassment conviction stemming from a scuffle with a bar employee a year ago on the Nevada side of the state border. — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 15 Sep. 2026

Verb

The two dogs began scuffling and Molloy allegedly pulled out a gun and fired a shot, killing Luke. — Naveen Dhaliwal, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026 Some pushed against barricades and scuffled with police, who responded by firing tear gas rounds, using water cannon and beating them with batons, TV footage showed. — Reuters, NBC news, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scuffle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scuffle

Noun

Mark Stephens, of the Howard Kennedy law firm in London, described the hearing as a preliminary skirmish in the broader legal battle.

— Danica Kirka, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026
Ties between the two countries, which had deteriorated sharply following a deadly border skirmish in 2020, have been thawing for more than a year.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of skirmish

Verb

Why attendance is the number to watch Even in a traditional school year, districts across Texas have been wrestling with chronic absenteeism since COVID-19.

— Lina Ruiz October 8, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Oct. 2026
As Grammy season comes into full swing, one of the biggest questions the Recording Academy will need to wrestle with is how to handle the current surge in popularity for country music.

— Alan Light, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of wrestle

Noun

The social media clash also comes as El-Sayed faces criticism over his responses to questions about Iran’s regime and Islamist organizations.

— Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026
In a clash of the top two teams in FIFA’s rankings, played before a sellout crowd of 19,220, the visitors left the home side shell-shocked with two spectacular strikes.

— Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of clash

Verb

Her body was found while clearing rubble and fighting a fire at the site, Tymur Tkachenko, head of the regional military administration, said Friday.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026
Eventually, Ley hopes, the results could help fight this side effect of vaccines and, by extension, encourage higher vaccination rates.

— Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of fight

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

Definition of battle

Browse Nearby Words

scuffing (up)

scuffle

scuffled

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Cite this Entry

Style

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

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Synonyms of scuffle

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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