dustup

noun

ˈdəst-ˌəp How to pronounce dustup (audio)
Definition of dustupnext
as in skirmish
a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups he came home with a black eye from the dustup at the bar

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dustup In February, fans watched a dustup between the Detroit Pistons and the Charlotte Hornets. — Shakeia Taylor, New York Times, 29 May 2026 Bart Jansen The latest dustup between the United States and Iran is over the names of bodies of water. — Bart Jansen, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026 But even then that dustup lacks a satisfying catfight spark. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 29 Apr. 2026 Hometown's owner, Rodney Ballance, dropped out of a state House of Representatives race after the dustup. — Arkansas Online, 28 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dustup
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dustup
  1. skirmish
  2. clash
  3. battle
  4. fight
Noun
  • The eagle, beloved worldwide through a Big Bear nest livestream with mate Shadow and eaglets Sandy and Luna, was rescued emaciated after a skirmish with younger birds.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026
  • There were one-on-one periods between the receivers and cornerbacks, a brief skirmish and extensive team periods.
    — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of skirmish
Noun
  • O’Donnell and Hasselbeck again publicly sparred over social media after the former replied to a question about their 2007 clash on the Ricki-Lee, Tim & Joel podcast.
    — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Pelley was fired after a clash with new 60 Minutes executive producer Nick Bilton.
    — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of clash
Noun
  • Even now, weeks into efforts to battle misinformation, some residents hold mistaken views of the outbreak.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
  • This was the first indication that Fred Johnson actually has the edge in the swing tackle battle.
    — Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of battle
Noun
  • Fire crews in Spokane remained in an aggressive fight against three rapidly spreading wildfires Saturday evening, with officials warning that conditions are not expected to improve at night.
    — Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
  • In parallel, the state disclosure rules and local fights over data centers and permitting will continue.
    — Paulo Carvão, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of fight

Browse Nearby Words

dusts
dustup
dustups
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Cite this Entry

“Dustup.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dustup. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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