as in skirmishes
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 shuffles
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 wrestles
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 scuffles
Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
There were 12 roughing penalties in the game — six against each team — and plenty of other scuffles involving multiple players.
—CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
Luka Garza, who’s played well in most of his appearances since late December, is another viable option if Vucevic scuffles, or if Mazzulla opts to play three bigs.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 7 Apr. 2026
The aerial scuffles are charming.
—Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026
And that didn’t include the multiple (if mild) scuffles in between this ruckus.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 8 Mar. 2026
The student said scuffles broke out between protesters and members of the Basij, which has played a key role in quashing dissent over the years, as university security guards tried to separate the two.
—ABC News, 23 Feb. 2026
Verified social media video showed scuffles Sunday between pro- and anti-regime groups at Amirkabir University.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 22 Feb. 2026
Schoolyard scuffles, neighbor disputes, low-level drug use, injury-free DUIs.
—Emily Galvin Almanza, Literary Hub, 18 Feb. 2026
Noun
The physical series turned chippy late in Game 1 and that carried over to the start of Game 2 with a pair of scuffles, each involving more than a half-dozen players, breaking out 12 seconds apart midway through the first period.
—Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
There were 12 roughing penalties in the game — six against each team — and plenty of other scuffles involving multiple players.
—CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
Luka Garza, who’s played well in most of his appearances since late December, is another viable option if Vucevic scuffles, or if Mazzulla opts to play three bigs.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 7 Apr. 2026
The aerial scuffles are charming.
—Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026
And that didn’t include the multiple (if mild) scuffles in between this ruckus.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 8 Mar. 2026
The student said scuffles broke out between protesters and members of the Basij, which has played a key role in quashing dissent over the years, as university security guards tried to separate the two.
—ABC News, 23 Feb. 2026
Verified social media video showed scuffles Sunday between pro- and anti-regime groups at Amirkabir University.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 22 Feb. 2026
Schoolyard scuffles, neighbor disputes, low-level drug use, injury-free DUIs.
—Emily Galvin Almanza, Literary Hub, 18 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scuffles
Noun
-
The early skirmishes certainly appeared that way.—
Josh Gross,
Daily News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The skirmishes are a preview for more campaigns later this year, when at least a half-dozen states will hold elections for utility regulators.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Tristan returns home and greets James while Siegfried shuffles the woman out the window.—
Alice Burton,
Vulture,
12 Jan. 2026
-
That is not unique — Major League Baseball’s offseason shuffles along at a deliberate pace, just as the Dodgers historically have liked.—
Katie Woo,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Esperanza junior, who wrestles at 113 pounds, strained a knee during the Doc Buchanan tournament in Clovis in January.—
Steve Fryer,
Oc Register,
22 Apr. 2026
-
This is definitely something that every fan wrestles with.—
Dan Shanoff,
New York Times,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Transportation future While most Coloradans want properly maintained roads, Restore Our Roads clashes with voters’ broader wishes, said Matt Frommer, transportation and land use policy manager for the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project, an environmental advocacy group.—
Bruce Finley,
Denver Post,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Last year, clashes between farmers and herders in southwestern Chad left 42 people dead and several homes burned.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In the closing moments, Godzilla stomps his way to the Statue of Liberty, setting his sights on New York City.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Ellie stomps back to the crew mess to whine about it to Jenna and Ben.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Ever since, fans have been hooked to see how the friend group navigate fights big and small.—
Colleen Kratofil,
PEOPLE,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The 31-year-old McKee (24-2), who fights out of Long Beach, continues his pursuit to reclaim his place atop the 145-pound division.—
Brian Martin,
Oc Register,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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That means the knock-down, drag-out government shutdown battles that have become a Washington ritual are, in effect, a fight over a little more than a quarter of the federal ledger.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Marr's legal battles with State Farm started in 1999, when Marr says the insurer denied a claim that a friend filed for tornado damage.—
Michael Copley,
NPR,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Falling back to the pack and seven points shy of San Jose, which won 4-1 at BMO Stadium on Sunday, LAFC has seen its recent MLS stumbles coincide with advancing to a two-leg CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinal, which commences Wednesday at BMO Stadium and ends May 6 in Toluca, Mexico.—
Josh Gross,
Daily News,
24 Apr. 2026
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If the student stumbles, the AI agent gives them clues, along with criticism and positive feedback.—
Jocelyn Gecker,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scuffles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scuffles. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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