1
as in climbing
to move (as up or over something) often with the help of the hands in holding or pulling
the toddler scrambled up the stairs
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in disrupting
to undo the proper order or arrangement of
scrambled the letters of the word
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of scrambling
Packing motion sickness remedies ahead of time is an easy way to avoid scrambling if the ship starts rocking.
—
Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 27 Apr. 2026
If students don’t already have friends at the same school, they are left scrambling to find someone.
—Mary Frances Ruskell, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2026
One guest lost a shoe while scrambling for cover.
—Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
The industry is scrambling to clean things up.
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
Chaos erupted as the shots were fired, sending dinner guests scrambling to take cover under tables.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026
And with shrinking federal aid, complex state budget gaps and pressure growing to offset Connecticut’s high cost of living, lawmakers are scrambling to adopt a new fiscal plan before the 2026 session closes May 6.
—Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2026
Endling becomes a story about women scrambling to save themselves, their families and their country—while also growing into a joyful and astonishing celebration of the novel itself, a literary form given new life and urgency by this groundbreaking, utterly unique work.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Apr. 2026
The helicopters successfully evaded Pakistan's layered air defenses, there was a crash immediately at UBL's compound, guys were scrambling to get inside, Khalid bin Laden got melted in the stairwell and then the SEALs got bin Laden on the third deck.
—David Hookstead Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2026
Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 27 Apr. 2026
If students don’t already have friends at the same school, they are left scrambling to find someone.
—Mary Frances Ruskell, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2026
One guest lost a shoe while scrambling for cover.
—Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
The industry is scrambling to clean things up.
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
Chaos erupted as the shots were fired, sending dinner guests scrambling to take cover under tables.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026
And with shrinking federal aid, complex state budget gaps and pressure growing to offset Connecticut’s high cost of living, lawmakers are scrambling to adopt a new fiscal plan before the 2026 session closes May 6.
—Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2026
Endling becomes a story about women scrambling to save themselves, their families and their country—while also growing into a joyful and astonishing celebration of the novel itself, a literary form given new life and urgency by this groundbreaking, utterly unique work.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Apr. 2026
The helicopters successfully evaded Pakistan's layered air defenses, there was a crash immediately at UBL's compound, guys were scrambling to get inside, Khalid bin Laden got melted in the stairwell and then the SEALs got bin Laden on the third deck.
—David Hookstead Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrambling
Verb
-
The war and its economic fallout comes at a time when Americans were already navigating high costs of living from a post-pandemic inflation spike and years of prices climbing much faster than has been typical.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
24 Apr. 2026
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Getty Images/iStockphoto Gold has made some serious waves over the last year or two, first passing the $3,000-per-ounce milestone in 2025 before climbing past the $4,000-per-ounce milestone shortly after.—
Aly J Yale,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
While disrupting the business of an American multinational company may seem a pallid response to the destruction of an Iranian primary school where more than a hundred children were killed, such asymmetric attacks in the physical and digital realms have been a feature of this conflict.—
Sue Halpern,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
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Treasury has issued sanctions on more than 1,000 targets since 2025 under the current maximum pressure campaign, the official said, aimed at disrupting Iran’s oil trade and financial networks.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
People were clambering for a photo.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
13 Apr. 2026
-
After clambering through the woods, Bowie, with help from her friend Laurie Brasil, reached Shy and was shocked to find Bow sitting right beside her.—
Kelli Bender,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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There was major line shuffling overall by Cooper on this night, not just Kucherov, but tweaks to three lines, which ended up looking a little different than what was shown in pregame warmup.—
Pierre LeBrun,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
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YoshimiO, sharing fellow ’90s icon Flea’s recent interest in the instrument, turns in a credible trumpet line during the track’s shuffling, exuberant second half.—
Reed Jackson,
SPIN,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Welcome to Asking for a Friend, a weekly series dedicated to solving the messy, awkward, and confusing parts of modern friendship.—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
22 Apr. 2026
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But factors like confusing trailheads and limited provisions mean that going alone also comes with unique risks.—
Allison Forsyth,
Health,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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There is disturbing use by 13-year-olds and those who are older in bike lanes and our once-tranquil walking and bike trails.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
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Mark Holdbrooks, 69, was found guilty Friday on multiple charges, including murder, theft and disturbing human remains.—
Katie Houlis,
CBS News,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scrambling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrambling. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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