SCRAMBLING Synonyms: 81 Similar and Opposite Words

scrambling

verb

present participle of scramble

as in climbing

to move (as up or over something) often with the help of the hands in holding or pulling the toddler scrambled up the stairs

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in disrupting

to undo the proper order or arrangement of scrambled the letters of the word

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 scrambling Wait for the rows in front of you to get up and head to the exit, rather than scrambling to snatch your items from the overhead bins and just crowding the aisle. — Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026 So states have been scrambling since the notifications began going out Tuesday to figure out where the DOJ plans to be. — Miles Parks, NPR, 22 Oct. 2026 Beyond domestic challenges, CATL is also scrambling to build more plants in Europe to avoid running afoul of increasing EU protectionism. — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 21 Oct. 2026 And for a quarterback whose superpower involves shuffling through collapsing pockets, scrambling through squalor, throwing off any and every platform — such a question was warranted. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2026 Despite detecting around one of these blasts a day, scientists are scrambling for answers. — Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026 Ukrainian officials are scrambling to address the recent throttling of their crucial Starlink internet connectivity, a major engine of the country’s successful drone operations. — Rafi Schwartz, TheWeek, 19 Oct. 2026 One of New York City's most storied hotels is shutting its doors for years, leaving brides and grooms scrambling to secure new wedding venues. — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026 Schools closed before Isaias swept through the region last Friday and have been scrambling to make needed repairs to facilities while awaiting power restoration. — Ana Goñi-Lessan, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrambling

Verb

Video footage released by Romania's intelligence service showed a person climbing the ladder of a building's fire escape, followed by brief flashes and flames engulfing a building.

— STEPHEN McGRATH, Arkansas Online, 28 Oct. 2026
The initial spending surge is climbing but losing steam as AI capex growth as a share of GDP slows, the boost from last year’s tax depreciation incentives fades, and the stock-market wealth effect cools.

— Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of climbing

Verb

Earlier this month, Ukrainian drones connected to Starshield lost connectivity at high speeds, disrupting air defenses during daily Russian air attacks.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
The new enforcement effort is disrupting daily life as some parents with visitor visas avoid crossing altogether.

— Angela Kocherga, NPR, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of disrupting

Verb

Commercial satellite operators are already clambering to claim space on Falcon 9s as the final sales are made.

— Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2026
Sometimes only the tips of the reeds and the seed heads were visible, poking above the murky water, and other times the reeds stood fully exposed, with a clear view of crabs clambering around their bases.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of clambering

Verb

The Current traded away some assets while shuffling stars like Michelle Cooper, Temwa Chawinga and Lorena in and out of the lineup.

— PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2026
And for a quarterback whose superpower involves shuffling through collapsing pockets, scrambling through squalor, throwing off any and every platform — such a question was warranted.

— Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of shuffling

Verb

How the storm drain will be repaired Rather than digging up the entire pipe and disturbing residents’ yards, crews plan to install a new lining inside the existing pipe.

— Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026
On vehicles with a dedicated secondary passenger display, front passengers can browse, view lyrics, and watch video content without disturbing the driver.

— Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of disturbing

Browse Nearby Words

scrambles

scrambling

scrammed

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Style

“Scrambling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrambling. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of scrambling

verb

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