1 scrabble | Definition of scrabble

scrabble

verb
scrab·​ble | \ ˈskra-bÉ™l How to pronounce scrabble (audio) \
scrabbled; scrabbling\ ˈskra-​b(É™-​)liÅ‹ How to pronounce scrabbling (audio) \

Definition of scrabble

 (Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

2 : to scratch, claw, or grope about clumsily or frantically
b : to struggle by or as if by scraping or scratching scrabble for survival

scrabble

noun

Definition of scrabble (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : scramble
2 : scribble
3 : a repeated scratching or clawing

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from scrabble

Verb

scrabbler \ ˈskra-​b(É™-​)lÉ™r How to pronounce scrabbler (audio) \ noun

Synonyms for scrabble

Synonyms: Verb

clamber, climb, scramble, swarm

Synonyms: Noun

battle, fight, fray, struggle, throes

Visit the Thesaurus for More 

Examples of scrabble in a Sentence

Verb

She scrabbled around in her handbag for a pen. He scrabbled at the slippery rock.

Noun

it'll be a long scrabble to pull ourselves out of poverty
See More

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Rather, Sanders has become something considerably less buzz-worthy, just another candidate scrabbling to break from the pack of presidential hopefuls, many staking positions similar — if not identical — to his own. Los Angeles Times, "Bernie Sanders hasn’t changed. Is that his strength or a weakness?," 26 July 2019 My silicon chip, my ambition silicon chip, has been programmed to try and scrabble my way up this cursus honorum, this ladder of things. . . . Sam Knight, The New Yorker, "The Empty Promise of Boris Johnson," 13 June 2019 During these past two years, the U.K. has been scrabbling to figure out the terms under which Brexit would happen. Rachel Epstein, Marie Claire, "Brexit May Force the Queen to Evacuate from the Palace," 4 Feb. 2019 The driver, checks the coast is clear, but can't see the crouching boy and pulls away - over the lad, who scrabbles frantically for a few seconds before disappearing beneath the SUV. Swns - Joe Smith, Fox News, "Kid tying shoelace run over by car, walks away," 27 Sep. 2018 Whereas for most of human civilization, people have had to scrabble just to exist, in the past 100 years or so the pendulum has swung—at least for those privileged few of us who live in first world countries. Redbook, "Finding the Sweet Spot Between Too Much Parenting and Too Little: Easier Said Than Done?," 23 June 2011 Homer and Marge would be somewhere in their 60s, probably still scrabbling to make ends meet. Todd Vanderwerff, Vox, "The Simpsons is stuck in an eternal 1990. Its Apu controversy reflects that.," 15 Apr. 2018 Ruthie, separated from her husband, is scrabbling to keep her toehold in the middle class after being forced out of her job at a local museum by a conniving board member. New York Times, "4 Writers to Watch This Summer," 17 May 2018 Nollsch recalled how the sound of someone scaling the fence was followed by what sounded like a person falling into bushes, then scrabbling to get out, according to sheriff's documents. Marjie Lundstrom And Sam Stanton, sacbee, "Rapes and burglaries had occurred. But this was the first time the East Area Rapist killed | The Sacramento Bee," 14 May 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Across the street from her, a kinetic scrabble of orange and blue runs the height of a five-story brick building like an electric charge. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, "For public art in the Boston area, competing interests and big questions," 27 July 2019 Anthony was happiest being with family & friends, and enjoyed playing scrabble & cards. courant.com, "Anthony Cavallaro," 10 July 2019 Here is the scrabble of historical experience before history has laid down its narrative paths. Rachel Aviv, The New Yorker, "Walter Kempowski’s Epic Novel of Germany in Collapse," 21 Mar. 2016 Then there was the scrabble of a key at a lock, and the other door, the one facing him, that led to the free world, opened. Andrew Liptak, The Verge, "A prisoner is given a deal he can’t refuse in an excerpt from S.J. Morden’s sci-fi novel One Way," 25 Mar. 2018 Mémère loved family gatherings and was ready anytime for a game of scrabble, cards, the challenge of a good puzzle or a computer game. courant.com, "Rita R. Dulude," 5 Mar. 2018 Spoelstra masks this small flaw by getting his group to outwork teams in scrabbles for loose balls. Karl Bullock, SI.com, "The Case for Coach of the Year: Erik Spoelstra," 1 Feb. 2018 Each photo is a miniature stage play: a boy wraps himself in a rope, like a noose or a bandolier; girls in finery scrabble for candy; refugee children solemnly display their toys. David Campany, The New Yorker, "Mark Neville’s Immersive Photo Experiment," 22 May 2017 Scrabble for adults Mondays 6 p.m., John Marshall Library, 4133 Rectortown Rd. Washington Post, "Community events in Fauquier County," 30 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'scrabble.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of scrabble

Verb

1537, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1794, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for scrabble

Verb

Dutch schrabbelen to scratch

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for scrabble

scrabble

verb

English Language Learners Definition of scrabble

: to move the hands or feet in an awkward and hurried way in order to find or do something

Keep scrolling for more