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
Relevance
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
This dustup likely means that some of the nation’s most vulnerable will end up going hungry, at least temporarily.
—
Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2025
Prior to the dustups with NBCU and TelevisaUnivision, YouTube TV had nearly blacked out Paramount and Fox networks, reaching deals with both media companies after tensions spilled into public view.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2025
And the headline bombshells continue in the who-did-what-when mortgage dustups.
—Susan Tompor, USA Today, 24 Sep. 2025
And the headline bombshells continue in the who-did-what-when mortgage dustups.
—Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dustup
Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2025
Prior to the dustups with NBCU and TelevisaUnivision, YouTube TV had nearly blacked out Paramount and Fox networks, reaching deals with both media companies after tensions spilled into public view.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2025
And the headline bombshells continue in the who-did-what-when mortgage dustups.
—Susan Tompor, USA Today, 24 Sep. 2025
And the headline bombshells continue in the who-did-what-when mortgage dustups.
—Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dustup
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dustup
Noun
-
At least four videos appear to contradict the administration’s account that Pretti was holding a weapon during the skirmish leading up to his death.—
Karen Cortes,
NBC news,
26 Jan. 2026
-
That led to a small skirmish with the governor’s office.—
Josie Reich,
Hartford Courant,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
And Eat Street was the scene of a series of clashes, federal officers and local and state police pulled back and protesters took over the area.—
Jack Brook,
Twin Cities,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Some of these interludes of creative clash are funny, but the joke runs dry fairly quickly.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In a city where detentions have largely played out on the streets, Homan’s comments have highlighted a battle that has been unfolding in the background.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The exercise of power, not surprisingly, contributed to the restlessness of a busy mind that waged battles against a committed opposition.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
There was one fight that happened organically when Aspirot dropped the gloves with Kirby Dach after a net-front battle.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Democrats could also attempt next week to strip the DHS component from the legislation and fund the rest of the government while the ICE political fight continues to play out.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
25 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dustup.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dustup. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
