skirmish

noun skir·mish \ ˈskər-mish \

Definition of skirmish

1 :a minor fight in war usually incidental to larger movements

2 a :a brisk preliminary verbal conflict

b :a minor dispute or contest between opposing parties

the debate touched off a skirmish

See skirmish defined for English-language learners

See skirmish defined for kids

Examples of skirmish in a Sentence

Skirmishes broke out between rebel groups.
Violent skirmishes with the enemy continue despite talks of peace.

Recent Examples of skirmish from the Web

The marchers disbanded after skirmishes with counter-protestors.

— gabrielle bruney, Esquire, "A Terrifying Mob of White Nationalists Marched on the UVA Campus," 12 Aug. 2017
Chen, Cui, and Su are all prestigious CAS academicians, adding spice to the acrimonious exchange, which is just the latest skirmish in an ongoing battle.

— yongming huang, Science | AAAS, "Spat over design of new Chinese telescope goes public," 11 Aug. 2017
At least 10 people died on Election Day in skirmishes with government forces.

— cody weddle and patricia mazzei, miamiherald, "Venezuela installs new all-powerful assembly rejected by U.S.," 4 Aug. 2017
Despite an eight-run lead dwindling to a two-run advantage, the Freedom won an offensive skirmish, 10-7, over the Joliet Slammers Saturday at Slammers Stadium.

— james weber, Cincinnati.com, "Freedom build lead in 1st place," 1 Aug. 2017
During one skirmish in the summer of 2015, newcomers besieged Italian restaurant Ballarò.

— jeremiah moss, Longreads, "Mourning the Low-Rent, Weirdo-Filled East Village of Old," 24 July 2017
The club’s patrons, including returning Vietnam veterans, are hauled off in paddywagons, inciting a small skirmish that swiftly blooms into something much larger.

— richard lawson, HWD, "Detroit Review: Kathryn Bigelow’s Harrowing Drama Has an Uneasy Power," 23 July 2017
The wars of late will look like playground skirmishes when the Pax Americana ends.

— vanityfair.com, "How Russia Mercilessly Played Trump for a Fool," 20 July 2017
And the Greyjoys lost that particular skirmish in the end.

— vanityfair.com, "Game of Thrones Season 7 Photos," 16 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'skirmish.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of skirmish

Middle English skyrmissh, alteration (influenced by Anglo-French eskermir to fence (with swords), protect, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German scirmen to protect, scirm shield) of skarmuch, from Anglo-French escarmuche, from Old Italian scaramuccia — more at screen

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First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

skirmish Synonyms

Synonyms

brush, hassle, run-in, scrape, encounter

Related Words

argument, fight, quarrel, row, spat, squabble, tiff; battle, brawl, fray, wrangle

Near Antonyms

truce

Other Military Terms

bivouac, logistics, petard, salient, sally, supernumerary, tactical

skirmish

verb

Definition of skirmish

intransitive verb

1 :to engage in a skirmish

2 :to search about (as for supplies) :scout around

—

skirmisher

noun

See skirmish defined for English-language learners

Examples of skirmish in a Sentence

Rebel groups are skirmishing with military forces.
The presidential candidates skirmished over their economic plans.

Recent Examples of skirmish from the Web

Zenner, Washington and Asiata will skirmish for roster spots.

— pat fitzmaurice, SI.com, "Detroit Lions Fantasy Football 2017 Preview: Matthew Stafford Is Rock-Solid Buy," 2 Aug. 2017
After skirmishing with convalescing soldiers and local militiamen around the Miamiville train bridge, Morgan withdrew.

— Cincinnati.com, "Column: Morgan invaded Clermont County in 1863," 26 July 2017
A zoo spokeswoman said chimpanzees often skirmish to maintain social hierarchy.

— shane sanderson, kansascity, "Kansas City Zoo’s chimpanzee program passes USDA inspection after chimp’s death," 30 June 2017
In 1782, the war’s waning days, Kosciuszko finally served as a field commander, spying, stealing cattle and skirmishing during the siege of Charleston.

— erick trickey, Smithsonian, "The Polish Patriot Who Helped Americans Beat the British," 8 Mar. 2017
Good morning, Border Skirmishes A federal appeals court, based in San Francisco, is set to rule as soon as this week on President Trump’s executive order on immigration in a decision that may have more influence—and last longer—

— gerard baker, WSJ, "The 10-Point.," 6 Feb. 2017

First Known Use of skirmish

14th century

Other Military Terms

bivouac, logistics, petard, salient, sally, supernumerary, tactical

SKIRMISH Defined for English Language Learners

skirmish

noun

Definition of skirmish for English Language Learners

: a brief and usually unplanned fight during a war
: a minor or brief argument or disagreement

skirmish

verb

Definition of skirmish for English Language Learners

: to be involved in a skirmish

SKIRMISH Defined for Kids

skirmish

noun skir·mish \ ˈskər-mish \

Definition of skirmish for Students

1 :a minor fight in war

2 :a minor argument

skirmish

verb

Definition of skirmish for Students

skirmished; skirmishing

:to take part in a fight or dispute

Learn More about skirmish

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for skirmish Spanish Central: Translation of skirmish Nglish: Translation of skirmish for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about skirmish

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skirmish Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

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Other Military Terms

skirmish

Definition of skirmish

skirmisher

Examples of skirmish in a Sentence

Recent Examples of skirmish from the Web

First Known Use of skirmish

Other Military Terms

SKIRMISH Defined for English Language Learners

skirmish

Definition of skirmish for English Language Learners

skirmish

Definition of skirmish for English Language Learners

SKIRMISH Defined for Kids

skirmish

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skirmish

Definition of skirmish for Students

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