1. moves or climbs awkwardly over or up something using hands and feet
2. scratches or scrapes at something with fingers or claws
3. struggles to find or obtain something

Examples

• The cat scrabbles up the tree trunk with its claws.
• She scrabbles over the rocky ledge to reach the cave.
• The dog scrabbles at the door, wanting to come inside.
• He scrabbles through his backpack looking for his keys.
• The child scrabbles up the playground equipment.
• The mouse scrabbles along the wall trying to escape.
• She scrabbles for a foothold on the steep cliff face.