scrabbled

verb

past tense of scrabble
1
as in climbed
to move (as up or over something) often with the help of the hands in holding or pulling we scrabbled up a sand dune to get a better view of the sea

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in fumbled
to search for something blindly or uncertainly he frantically scrabbled through the storage chest looking for the needed documents

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of scrabbled With the June 2 primary weeks away and many voters still undecided, candidates scrabbled for airtime and breakout moments during the chaotic 90-minute debate. — Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026 The Eagles have scrabbled at multiple offensive schemes while leveraging the strength of their defense. — Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrabbled
  1. climbed
  2. fumbled
  3. scrambled
  4. looked
  5. clambered
Verb
  • After pulling into their campsite well after nightfall, the couple climbed into bed, wondering what and who surrounded them.
    — Sarah Silbiger, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
  • Eventually, the sea lion climbed over the wall and the video cut.
    — Ashley Mackin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 July 2026
Definition of climbed
Verb
  • The Giants scored the game’s first run in the top of the third when Mariners center fielder Luke Raley fumbled the ball on Bryce Eldridge’s single with runners on first and second.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 19 July 2026
  • Basabe, 48, fumbled his way through the trial, often seeming confused about the legal proceedings.
    — Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026
Definition of fumbled
Verb
  • Scientists scrambled to Fauci’s defense ahead of the unusual hearing — the second time the longtime National Institutes of Health scientist has been back before Congress to discuss pandemic origins since leaving the government in 2022.
    — Lauran Neergaard, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
  • Spectators and another speaker, Henry Reese, scrambled to aid Rushdie.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 July 2026
Definition of scrambled
Verb
  • Things slowly improved as drummers were encouraged at Arrowhead, but even a big turnout of 20,000 fans looked tiny in a stadium that could seat four times that number.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 24 July 2026
  • But 69% of that came from unrealized paper gains on its stakes in SpaceX and Anthropic, not the core business, and Wall Street looked straight through it.
    — Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 23 July 2026
Definition of looked
Verb
  • Several members equipped with climbing harnesses clambered up a small tree on the school’s front lawn and dangled from its limbs on climbing ropes.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2026
  • Cars honked their horns and cyclists pulled over to tune in as flags fluttered in the wind, fans clambered to see the screen, and people hugged and shouted.
    — Anna Grace Lee, Vogue, 17 June 2026
Definition of clambered

Browse Nearby Words

scrabble
scrabbled
scrabbles
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Cite this Entry

“Scrabbled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrabbled. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on scrabbled

Nglish: Translation of scrabbled for Spanish Speakers

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