as in skirmish
a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups
he came home with a black eye from the dustup at the bar
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dustup
Again, while the details of the Newport Beach dustup are unique, complaints about harassment — in lawsuits and in day-to-day municipal work life — are increasingly common.
—
Michael Slaten, Oc Register, 14 Sep. 2025
Read all about the dustup here.
—Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 12 Sep. 2025
The private club has, of course, already inspired a bit of a dustup in the West Village.
—Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 2 Sep. 2025
The dustup follows Macron’s rejection this past week of accusations from Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that France’s intention to recognize a Palestinian state is fueling antisemitism.
—Michelle L. Price, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dustup
Michael Slaten, Oc Register, 14 Sep. 2025
Read all about the dustup here.
—Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 12 Sep. 2025
The private club has, of course, already inspired a bit of a dustup in the West Village.
—Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 2 Sep. 2025
The dustup follows Macron’s rejection this past week of accusations from Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that France’s intention to recognize a Palestinian state is fueling antisemitism.
—Michelle L. Price, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dustup
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dustup
Noun
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Amazon Prime commentator Kirk Herbstreit said as a guess at Rodgers' response to Jones, as footage of the sideline near-skirmish played for viewers.—
Anna Lazarus Caplan,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
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The decision was the latest skirmish in a years-long political and legal wrangle over voting requirements for local tax increase proposals.—
Dan Walters,
Oc Register,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Relations between the two economies had been cool since deadly border clashes in 2020.—
Nicholas Gordon,
Fortune,
16 Oct. 2025
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In that sense, by hosting Muttaqi, Delhi may have deepened the growing rupture between Afghanistan and Pakistan that was on display during the recent border clashes.—
Happymon Jacob,
Time,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Lima, Peru Reuters — Peru’s President Jose Jeri declared on Tuesday a 30-day state of emergency in the capital Lima and the neighboring province of Callao, saying the move was to battle rising crime.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
22 Oct. 2025
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Hubbard has a track record of moving the chains effectively, which was necessary in a game that was going to be mostly a defensive battle.—
Mike Kaye
October 21,
Charlotte Observer,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
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In the Netflix adaptation, Pippa helps describe the fight against the Twits’ reign of mischief and terror, serving as a moral compass amid the chaos.—
Jane LaCroix,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
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Resistance from African Leaders As youth protests grow stronger, African governments, particularly those that are military-led, are unlikely to surrender their positions without a fight.—
Nimi Princewill,
CNN Money,
18 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dustup.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dustup. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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