Synonyms of skirmish

skirmish 1 of 2

noun

ˈskər-mish 

1

as in encounter

a brief clash between enemies or rivals

the candidates' first debate was only a skirmish in a very long campaign

Synonyms & Similar Words

• encounter
• brush
• fight
• brawl
• run-in
• quarrel
• argument
• battle
• spat
• scrape
• squabble
• hassle
• row
• tiff
• fray
• wrangle

2

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

• clash
• battle
• fight
• scuffle
• struggle
• tussle
• brawl
• fray
• dustup
• contest
• conflict
• combat
• duel
• scrimmage
• confrontation
• altercation
• fracas
• scrum
• quarrel
• melee
• scrap
• rough-and-tumble
• dispute
• pitched battle
• fistfight
• fisticuffs
• spat
• blows
• battle royal
• slugfest
• hassle
• affray
• punch-up
• squabble
• donnybrook
• joust
• ruckus
• face-off
• mix-up
• tangle
• free-for-all
• row
• ruction
• controversy
• broil
• contretemps
• tiff
• falling-out
• punch-out
• catfight
• misunderstanding
• cross fire
• wrangle
• disagreement
• argument
• grapple
• kickup
• handgrips
• argle-bargle
• argy-bargy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• truce

skirmish

2 of 2

verb

1

as in to brawl

Related Words

• brawl
• box
• combat
• battle
• hit
• spar
• duel
• fight
• slug
• buffet
• war (against)
• punch
• strike
• batter
• bash
• contend
• clash (with)
• tussle
• scuffle
• wrestle
• beat
• grapple
• rassle

2

as in to prospect

Related Words

• prospect
• probe
• explore
• poke (around)
• look over
• find out
• track (down)
• run down
• glance (over)
• find
• ascertain
• study
• grub (about)
• snoop
• learn
• hit (on or upon)
• locate
• discover
• check (out)
• detect
• browse
• audit
• determine
• survey
• scare up
• rifle
• investigate
• review
• ferret (out)
• peruse
• examine
• inspect
• get
• scan
• search
• scrutinize
• descry
• dig (through)
• hunt (through)
• shake down
• rake
• troll
• pat down
• dredge
• scour
• comb
• frisk
• rummage
• sort (through)
• ransack

Dissimilar Words

• hide
• lose
• abandon
• ignore
• neglect

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of skirmish

Noun

The Jaguars and Panthers had a joint practice on Wednesday that included multiple skirmishes. — Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 Aug. 2026

The Cowboys and Saints skirmishes were mostly between the Dallas defense and the New Orleans offense, for example, outside linebacker Donovan Ezeiruaku getting into it with offensive tackle Erik McCoy. — Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Aug. 2026

Verb

The two sides have also skirmished along the border in the past. — NPR, 12 Oct. 2025

Steve’s gun barked almost in my ear, and the sound brought that treetop skirmish to a sudden conclusion. — Charles Elliott, Outdoor Life, 21 Aug. 2025

Phrases Containing skirmish

• skirmish (with)