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
Auriemma blamed the dustup on Staley not following the proper protocol for a pregame handshake.
—
David Brandt, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
In the latest dustup over a groundbreaking HIV prevention medicine, Doctors Without Borders has harshly criticized the manufacturer for refusing to sell its treatment directly to humanitarian organizations.
—Ed Silverman, STAT, 30 Mar. 2026
Aside from the, well, red-meat aspect of the latest Senate race dustup, what about Talarico's actual message on meat consumption?
—John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 19 Mar. 2026
Cops called to the dustup arrested Brown without incident.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dustup
David Brandt, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
In the latest dustup over a groundbreaking HIV prevention medicine, Doctors Without Borders has harshly criticized the manufacturer for refusing to sell its treatment directly to humanitarian organizations.
—Ed Silverman, STAT, 30 Mar. 2026
Aside from the, well, red-meat aspect of the latest Senate race dustup, what about Talarico's actual message on meat consumption?
—John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 19 Mar. 2026
Cops called to the dustup arrested Brown without incident.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dustup
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dustup
Noun
-
Walker, in a 10-pitch skirmish, drew a walk.—
Matt Kawahara,
Houston Chronicle,
19 Apr. 2026
-
After a skirmish in Lexington the British forces faced a larger band of Minutemen in Concord.—
Kurt Snibbe,
Oc Register,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
All three judges scored it 98-92 for the 29-year-old Briton, who sustained cuts over both eyes from head clashes.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
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And the clash of ideologies must now be balanced on the backs of many hardworking people trying to keep their children out of institutional care and on the Medicaid providers that support them.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Avoid ego battles with parents and bosses.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
24 Apr. 2026
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Find out for yourself with its chaotic four-on-four battles.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Republican candidates, State Senator Mayes Middleton and Central Texas Congressman Chip Roy, are in a very contentious fight.—
Jack Fink
April 12,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
The crowd laughed, and the Parenthood actor noted that people intervened and broke up the fight.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dustup.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dustup. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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