scramble
verb (used without object)
to climb or move quickly using one's hands and feet, as down a rough incline.
were scrambling
-
past progressiveof scramble.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.
Israeli soldiers in Lebanon said that units were scrambling and were now improvising solutions such as covering military equipment and outposts with nets to trap the drones, a method Ukraine has long relied on.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 1, 2026
Workers were scrambling to repair energy infrastructure hit in the attack, he said, which forced emergency power cuts across several regions in frigid winter weather.
From Barron's ● Dec. 23, 2025
During the worst months of fire displacement, when families were scrambling for community and services, Altadena Girls produced a handful of upbeat gatherings and donation drives.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 11, 2025
Carriers were scrambling to update software on thousands of Airbus planes after the jet maker recalled about 6,000 A320 aircraft on Friday, citing solar radiation’s potential to interrupt flight controls.
From Barron's ● Dec. 1, 2025
“Malcolm and Philbert Little!” she called as we were scrambling.
From "X: A Novel" by Ilyasah Shabazz
