scramble

verb

1 we scrambled over the boulders to inspect the rapids below:

clamber, climb, crawl, claw one's way, scrabble, grope one's way;

North American shinny.

2 he scrambled for shelter behind a heap of rubble:

struggle, hurry, scurry, scud, scutter, hasten, rush, race, run.

3 the children scrambled for new pennies thrown down from the tower:

jostle, scuffle, scrimmage, tussle, battle, struggle, strive, compete, contend, vie, jockey.

4 his stage fright scrambled the lines in his head:

muddle, confuse, mix up, jumble (up), disarrange, disorganize, disorder, disturb, throw into disorder, throw into confusion, get into a tangle, mess up.

noun

1 a short scramble over the rocks takes you to our secret spot:

clamber, climb, ascent, trek.

2 it was a scramble to get there on time:

struggle, hurry, rush, race, scurry.

3 I lost Tommy in the scramble for a seat:

tussle, jostle, scrimmage, scuffle, battle, struggle, free-for-all, competition, contention, vying, jockeying;

muddle, confusion, melee.