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scuffle

8 synonyms and 0 antonyms for scuffle, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A brief, disorganized fight or struggle at close quarters.

Synonyms

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

tussle dogfight shamble scuffle hoe rough-and-tumble

How to use scuffle

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

a minor scuffle break up a scuffle scuffle with police

Etymology

Likely from a Scandinavian root related to "to push" or "to shove," as seen in Swedish skuff ("a push").

Full origin of scuffle →

Frequently asked questions

What does “scuffle” mean?

The word “scuffle” means a brief, disorganized fight or struggle at close quarters. In plain terms, a short, messy fight, or to engage in one.

How do you pronounce “scuffle”?

“Scuffle” is pronounced SKUH-fuhl (/ˈskʌfəl/ in IPA).

How do you use “scuffle” in a sentence?

Here is “scuffle” used in a sentence: “A scuffle broke out near the exit after the game.”

What part of speech is “scuffle”?

Depending on how it is used, “scuffle” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “scuffle” come from?

The word “scuffle” comes from Swedish. Likely from a Scandinavian root related to "to push" or "to shove," as seen in Swedish skuff ("a push").

How many meanings does “scuffle” have?

“Scuffle” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a brief, disorganized fight or struggle at close quarters.

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Nearby words

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Synonyms and antonyms from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA.