1. scratching or clawing frantically with hands or feet
Usage: present participle of scrabble
2. struggling or scrambling to achieve something
Usage: present participle of scrabble

1. the action of scratching or clawing frantically
Usage: gerund form

Examples

• The cat was scrabbling at the door to get out.
• She was scrabbling through her purse looking for her keys.
• The climber was scrabbling for a handhold on the rock face.
• He heard scrabbling sounds coming from the attic.
• The dog was scrabbling in the dirt trying to dig up a bone.
• Students were scrabbling to finish their essays before the deadline.
• The mouse was scrabbling around inside the walls.