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.

The second senior resignation in two days leaves Sir Keir scrabbling to shore up his position as prime minister following the resignation of his top adviser McSweeney on Sunday.

From BBC • Feb. 9, 2026

Europe’s scrabbling together of funds to put into the pot is important here.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 30, 2025

When few other animals are out and about, wolverines are scrabbling up frozen slopes with their crampon-like claws and crunching through frozen bones of carrion dug out of snow.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 29, 2023

Central to the story the Kroffts continued to tell is that they were a relatively small, independent company among Hollywood combines, and so were often scrabbling.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 27, 2023

I snap to, scrabbling with my legs until I get purchase on the top edge of the car.

From "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen