scuffle
Americanverb (used without object)
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scuffles,
present (3rd person singular)
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scuffled,
past participle, past
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scuffling
present participle
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to struggle or fight in a rough, confused manner.
-
to go or move in hurried confusion.
-
to move or go with a shuffle; scuff.
verb
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to fight in a disorderly manner
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to move by shuffling
-
to move in a hurried or confused manner
noun
-
a disorderly struggle
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the sound made by scuffling or shuffling
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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scufflesimple
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scufflessimple
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have scuffledperfect
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has scuffledperfect
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am scufflingprogressive
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are scufflingprogressive
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is scufflingprogressive
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have been scufflingperfect progressive
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has been scufflingperfect progressive
Past
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scuffledsimple
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had scuffledperfect
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was scufflingprogressive
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were scufflingprogressive
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had been scufflingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of scuffle
Explanation
As both a noun and a verb, scuffle involves a fight. As a noun, it is the clash itself, like a scuffle between sworn enemies. As a verb, it means to fight, like a bully who will scuffle with just about anyone. A scuffle is not an organized bout: it is a free-for-all, with fists flying in any and all directions. As a verb, it tells about the act of this kind of wild fighting, like angry kids who scuffle to try to settle their problems, but it can also mean "dragging one's feet while walking." Here, the meaning is not related to fighting, but rather the sound made by those shuffling feet.
Vocabulary lists containing scuffle
"My Favorite Chaperone," Vocabulary from the short story
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"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, Chapters 26–31
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Dear Martin
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
A scuffle in the Strait of Hormuz earlier this week threatened the June peace deal, but oil traders are betting the Strait will remain open.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026
Even after the full-time whistle, there was a scuffle as Velazquez attempted to confront France players.
From BBC ● Jul. 5, 2026
After the pair manages to make it out of another scuffle, Ruthye asks Kara about her family, to which Kara replies that she has none except for her cousin.
From Salon ● Jun. 27, 2026
Bonner, Thomas, Hines-Allen and Fever guard Sophie Cunningham were also assessed technical fouls for their actions during the scuffle.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 23, 2026
Behind me, there’s the sound of a scuffle, but I don’t stop.
From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins
Just more than two minutes before the first intermission, the physical nature of the series boiled over in a series of scuffles that ended with referee Graham Skilliter meeting with the captains of both teams.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 26, 2026
Remember its carefully telegraphed missile strikes after previous scuffles, easily shot down by the U.S. and its allies.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 31, 2026
On Tuesday, the fourth consecutive day of the campus protests, videos verified by AFP showed two groups facing off in a large hall at a Tehran university before scuffles broke out.
From Barron's ● Feb. 25, 2026
"There have been scuffles, but they were indeed brought under control by our law enforcement officers," Ibrahime Kuibiert Coulibaly, the head of the independent electoral commission, told reporters.
From Barron's ● Dec. 28, 2025
All is quiet except for the thumps and scuffles of their footsteps, and Mark finds that his excitement over who might be in the boat overcomes the growing stench as they descend.
From "The Kill Order (Maze Runner, Book Four; Origin)" by James Dashner
The 34-year-old veteran utilityman scuffled at the plate like he had when wearing Dodger blue — and joined the Angels at the front end of a five-game losing streak.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 7, 2025
He was surprisingly adept in his rookie year as a head coach at any level, but he scuffled in the postseason.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 1, 2025
As the ultra-Orthodox scuffled with police at the protest, other Israelis berated them, chanting “Shame! Shame!”
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 26, 2024
Mr. Keith was already in his 30s, having scuffled for years to make it in the music business, when he signed his first record deal in 1993.
From New York Times ● Feb. 6, 2024
It scuffled savagely and for an instant the three rabbits saw its round, dark eyes looking straight down the run.
From "Watership Down: A Novel" by Richard Adams
“He went into last October really scuffling, and it sort of bled into October,” Roberts said over the weekend.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 30, 2026
One that owns the S&P 500 without the Magnificent Seven is beating those scuffling behemoths by 15 percentage points this year, but that would have gotten you nowhere in 2023 and 2024.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026
All were large, stable companies in 1972, which is why they were embraced by brokers and fund managers when the rest of the market was scuffling.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 24, 2026
They were later seen scuffling with government supporters.
From BBC ● Feb. 22, 2026
In a sudden scuffling, a man’s voice was raised angrily, “Take your hand out of my pocket!”
From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey
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