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View synonyms for scramble

scramble

[ skram-buhl ]

verb (used without object)

scrambled, scrambling.
  1. to climb or move quickly using one's hands and feet, as down a rough incline.
  2. to compete or struggle with others for possession or gain:

    The children scrambled for the coins we tossed.

  3. to move hastily and with urgency:

    She scrambled into her coat and ran out the door.

  4. Military. (of pilots or aircraft) to take off as quickly as possible to intercept enemy planes.


verb (used with object)

scrambled, scrambling.
  1. to collect or organize (things) in a hurried or disorderly manner (often followed by together or up ):

    He scrambled the papers up from the desk. I scrambled the report together at the last minute.

  2. to mix together confusedly:

    The teacher has hopelessly scrambled our names and faces.

  3. to cause to move hastily, as if in panic:

    He scrambled everyone out of the burning building.

  4. to cook (eggs) in a pan while stirring, usually after mixing whites and yolks together.
  5. to make (a radio or telephonic message) incomprehensible to interceptors by systematically changing the transmission frequencies.
  6. to mix the elements of (a television signal) so that only subscribers with a decoding box can receive the signal.
  7. Military. to cause (an intercepting aircraft or pilot) to take off in the shortest possible time, in response to an alert.

noun

  1. a quick climb or progression over rough, irregular ground.
  2. a struggle for possession or gain:

    a scramble for choice seats in the stadium.

  3. any disorderly or hasty struggle or proceeding.
  4. Military. an emergency takeoff of interceptors performed in the shortest possible time.

scramble

/ ˈskræmbəl /

verb

  1. intr to climb or crawl, esp by using the hands to aid movement
  2. intr to proceed hurriedly or in a disorderly fashion
  3. introften foll byfor to compete with others, esp in a disordered manner

    to scramble for a prize

  4. intrfoll bythrough to deal with hurriedly and unsystematically
  5. tr to throw together in a haphazard manner; jumble
  6. tr to collect in a hurried or disorganized manner
  7. tr to cook (eggs that have been whisked up with milk and seasoning) in a pan containing a little melted butter
  8. military to order (a crew or aircraft) to take off immediately or (of a crew or aircraft) to take off immediately
  9. tr to render (speech) unintelligible during transmission by means of an electronic scrambler
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. the act of scrambling
  2. a climb over rocks that involves the use of the hands but not ropes, etc
  3. a disorderly struggle, esp to gain possession
  4. military an immediate preparation for action, as of crew, aircraft, etc
  5. a motorcycle rally in which competitors race across rough open ground
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of scramble1

1580–90; blend of dial. scamble to stumble along, and scrabble (in the same sense)
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Word History and Origins

Origin of scramble1

C16: blend of scrabble and ramp
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Example Sentences

In the midst of the scramble for a new Syria, the country's musicians are warily eyeing the Islamist rebel leadership and hoping to build on hard-won achievements made during the almost 14-year civil war.

From BBC

Bringing back the family doctor and ending the early morning scramble for appointments were also key manifesto commitments for Labour.

From BBC

Support for the stopgap spending bill then collapsed, forcing Johnson and his leadership team to scramble to find an alternative path forward.

From BBC

The United States government is a day away from running out of money as Congress scrambles to come up with a short-term funding plan.

From BBC

Training 23-0 entering the fourth quarter against the Chargers, Nix then got loose scrambling for 28 yards in three carries.

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