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as in clash
a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups
throughout the week of the convention, police engaged in skirmishes with some of the demonstrators
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
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as in to prospect
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of skirmish
Bloomberg Wire, Dallas Morning News, 18 Mar. 2026
The war began after several rounds of airstrikes and cross-border skirmishes, stemming from Pakistani claims that the Afghan government was harboring terrorists who used the country as a base to launch attacks against Pakistan.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 17 Mar. 2026
The curbs were initially enacted in 2020 after a border skirmish escalated tensions between the world’s two most populous nations.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 10 Mar. 2026
The incident occurred during a skirmish between counterprotesters and an anti-Islam protest led by far-right activist Jake Lang outside Gracie Mansion.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for skirmish
Noun
So far, most of the state-level legal skirmishes centered on Kalshi’s event contracts have involved cease-and-desist letters, seeking preliminary injunctions, and civil enforcement.
—Bloomberg Wire, Dallas Morning News, 18 Mar. 2026
The war began after several rounds of airstrikes and cross-border skirmishes, stemming from Pakistani claims that the Afghan government was harboring terrorists who used the country as a base to launch attacks against Pakistan.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 17 Mar. 2026
The curbs were initially enacted in 2020 after a border skirmish escalated tensions between the world’s two most populous nations.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 10 Mar. 2026
The incident occurred during a skirmish between counterprotesters and an anti-Islam protest led by far-right activist Jake Lang outside Gracie Mansion.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for skirmish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skirmish
Noun
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The story begins on a train, somewhat subverts the typical strangers-on-a-train narrative in which a chance encounter leads to a love story (that is, the Linklater version rather than the Hitchcock one).—
Deborah Treisman,
New Yorker,
29 Mar. 2026
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The journey is a true adventure that includes moderate to challenging hikes, but the reward is a wild, unspoiled jungle with magnificent wildlife encounters—Osa Peninsula hosts approximately 50% of all of the species found in Costa Rica.—
Meghan Palmer,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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In Dallas, at least one person was detained after a clash with counter-protesters.—
Fousia Abdullahi,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Mar. 2026
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The massive expansion of enforcement operations drew local resistance from activists, leading to clashes with federal agents and the deaths of residents Good and Pretti during confrontations with ICE and Border Patrol.—
Alex Derosier,
Twin Cities,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Massive crowds were packed shoulder-to-shoulder, dancing wildly, brawling and turning the shoreline into a scene of disorder right before multiple gunshots sent thousands sprinting in panic.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
25 Mar. 2026
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Drivers brawled with attendants when the gas ran out, or when the lines weren’t moving fast enough, and cops closed down the stations, which made no one happy.—
Patt Morrison,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Astros awarded it to prospect Brice Matthews, who compiled a strong spring and, after primarily playing second base last season, expanded his defensive versatility to include center field and left field in camp.—
Matt Kawahara,
Houston Chronicle,
25 Mar. 2026
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Hawks prospects Anton Frondell and Sacha Boisvert are expected to debut on the team’s upcoming road trip, which starts at the New York Islanders on March 24.—
Kalen Lumpkins,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Three months into faith leaders’ legal battle, they were allowed back inside the facility in February for Ash Wednesday after a court order granted limited access.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
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In the midst of a restitution battle, records show that Kilpatrick is at risk of losing a home in Novi over more than $50,000 in unpaid property taxes.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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His administration has meanwhile begun probing federal programs for fraud — work that could lay the groundwork for deeper cuts.—
Eleanor Mueller,
semafor.com,
3 Apr. 2026
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That evidence may soon be on the way, as a growing fleet of robotic missions are set to explore regions of the moon beyond the Apollo landing sites with instruments designed to probe its interior in greater detail.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Internally, Mead Johnson conceded it had been beaten in the fight over fortifiers.—
David Hilzenrath,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
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The risk When Manfred took over as MLB commissioner 11 years ago, baseball had long been surpassed by football as the country’s most popular sport and was in an existential fight to stay relevant to younger fans.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Soccer journalist Andrew Wiebe will moderate a panel discussion exploring how data is transforming the sport at this free event.—
Dan Kelly
March 29,
Kansas City Star,
29 Mar. 2026
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Visit the Saturday farmers market, explore the handful of local shops, and take an easy hike to the Montezuma waterfall for a refreshing dip in its natural pool.—
Meghan Palmer,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Skirmish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skirmish. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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