Scuffle: meaning, definitions and examples

A brief, casual or inconsequential physical confrontation that is not very serious.

• There was a minor scuffle in the hallway when the students bumped into each other

A noisy and chaotic fight involving multiple people, often in a public setting.

• A brawl broke out at the bar after someone spilled a drink

A heated verbal or physical dispute, typically more serious than a scuffle and often involving raised voices.

• The two neighbors had an altercation over the property boundary

A vigorous struggle or fight, usually involving grappling or wrestling.

• The players had a brief tussle over the ball during the game

A minor, unorganized physical fight, often involving shoving or quick actions. Suitable for informal situations.

• There was a scuffle near the entrance when the concert tickets sold out
• The kids got into a scuffle over the last piece of candy

Engaging in a struggle or close fight, typically without weapons. It can also mean struggling with a problem or decision.

• The two wrestlers grappled in the center of the ring
• She had to grapple with the difficult decision of moving to a new city

Struggling physically with an opponent, often in a competitive sport. It can also describe struggling with a difficult task or problem.

• They wrestled for the championship title last night
• He had to wrestle with his conscience about telling the truth

A serious confrontation or conflict, often associated with opposing groups or strong differences in opinions. It can be either physical or verbal.

• The protesters clashed with the police during the demonstration
• Their views on the project clashed, leading to a heated argument