skirmish

1 of 2

noun

skir·​mish ˈskər-mish How to pronounce skirmish (audio)
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

skirmish

2 of 2

verb

skirmished; skirmishing; skirmishes

intransitive verb

1
: to engage in a skirmish
2
: to search about (as for supplies) : scout around
skirmisher noun

Examples of skirmish in a Sentence

Noun Skirmishes broke out between rebel groups. Violent skirmishes with the enemy continue despite talks of peace. Verb Rebel groups are skirmishing with military forces. The presidential candidates skirmished over their economic plans.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Watch on Deadline There are financial issues at play, as happens regularly in Hollywood, but this latest skirmish also raises the question of race, and who should be allowed to tell the story of a Black man like Hodges. Peter White, Deadline, 27 Sep. 2024 Icahn’s skirmish with Grand Harbor is one little battle in his larger campaign to rebuild his fortune. John Hyatt, Forbes, 22 Sep. 2024
Verb
Interim skirmishes that attempt to hold up finalizing the results of minor elections are sending Democrats into a panic. Max Thornberry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 3 July 2024 Regional war remains a possibility as the Jewish state and Hezbollah continue to skirmish. Lloyd Green, New York Daily News, 27 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for skirmish 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'skirmish.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of skirmish was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near skirmish

Cite this Entry

“Skirmish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skirmish. Accessed 9 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

skirmish

1 of 2 noun
skir·​mish ˈskər-mish How to pronounce skirmish (audio)
1
: a minor fight between small bodies of troops
2
: a minor dispute or contest

skirmish

2 of 2 verb
1
: to engage in a skirmish
2
: to search about (as for supplies)
skirmisher noun

More from Merriam-Webster on skirmish

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