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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These issues are not unique to the WNBA, as its affiliate league, the NBA, has weathered refereeing controversies and skirmishes over player pay for years.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
1 Oct. 2025
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Each new development is underscored by a lingering discomfort about the racial dynamics of the skirmish and about Maja taking action where Nourou might have wanted to leave the whole thing be.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
28 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Blame Mercury’s clash with Chiron!—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
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Previous attempts by activist flotillas to break the blockade have largely failed and sometimes sparked deadly clashes, including during the 2010 Gaza Freedom Flotilla raid.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The battle of the rotations Pretty much every night, their starting pitcher was better than your starting pitcher.—
Jayson Stark,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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That includes research presentations on hip-hop, identity and activism, interactive workshops in education and creative practice, and a freestyle dance battle.—
Liz Rothaus Bertrand,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Congressional Democrats have not sought to change that, at least not in the current spending fight.—
Todd Spangler,
Freep.com,
4 Oct. 2025
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The administration has also called out the arrest of Sortor, a 27-year-old conservative influencer, amid protests outside the ICE facility in Portland during what police characterized as a fight.—
Rebekah Riess,
CNN Money,
4 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dustup.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dustup. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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