scrabble
verb (used with object)
to scratch or scrape, as with the claws or hands.
was scrabbling
-
past progressiveof scrabble.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
In the end he was rescued by Weld, who leaned over to identify the name Johnson was scrabbling for – Vicente Fox – and put Johnson out of his misery.
From The Guardian ● Sep. 28, 2016
At the time, the Royal Bank of Scotland was scrabbling back from the brink of collapse, while its former chairman, Fred Goodwin, was under attack for netting a £700,000 pension.
From The Guardian ● Jul. 27, 2010
By Monday morning the farm bloc was scrabbling around for a compromise.
From Time Magazine Archive
As if to mark his disregard of all such courtesy, Gollum was scrabbling in the mould at the foot of a tree.
From "The Two Towers" by J. R. R. Tolkien
I was scrabbling around, trying to pick up some beads I’d spilled, when I heard a girl’s voice behind me.
From "The Bridge Home" by Padma Venkatraman
