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.
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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
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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:
The Dodgers’ offense continued to scuffle but did just enough to bounce back from a three-game sweep in Atlanta — the 14th time this month they played a game decided by a single run.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 29, 2026
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
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
The 31-year-old was tackled and detained in a chaotic scuffle with security guards.
From Barron's ● Apr. 29, 2026
There was a scuffle on the steps outside and the back door opened.
From "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" by Carson McCullers
There was no repeat of the scuffles which have punctuated parts of the build-up, with Benn remaining stone-faced before the pair were separated.
From BBC ● Sep. 12, 2026
Busch was known throughout his career as a competitor who gave no quarter—talking trash, getting into scuffles, and even crashing cars—in pursuit of victory.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 23, 2026
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
There were some scuffles, apparently between protesters and counter-demonstrators but police had no details on further arrests.
From Barron's ● Mar. 7, 2026
He had been in a few small scuffles with kids at school over the girl-name thing, but nothing serious.
From "As Brave As You" by Jason Reynolds
Then, the Dodgers got to work on their primary task: Trying to sync up an offense that had looked lost the last two games, and has scuffled through much of October.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 30, 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
The record has to be particularly discouraging considering how LeBron James and Anthony Davis have played to this point, the two stars being plenty good enough while the supporting cast has varied and scuffled.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 31, 2023
Ron lifted Scabbers out of his inside pocket and placed him next to the cage of his fellow rats, who stopped their skipping tricks and scuffled to the wire for a better look.
From "Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban" by J.K. Rowling
“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
There was scuffling in the corridors, students wait-ing to enter.
From "The Chocolate War" by Robert Cormier
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