dustups

noun

plural of dustup
as in skirmishes
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

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 dustups The second half ground almost to a halt with a few minor dustups for fouls and arguments. — Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 15 Apr. 2026 To Washington, the dustups are the sort of tough love the continent needs. — Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 21 Feb. 2026 While the midair dustups are trending down after the Federal Aviation Administration adopted a zero-tolerance policy and increased fines almost five years ago, the incidents will end up close to double the three-year average before the pandemic. — Thomas Black, Twin Cities, 21 Dec. 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 He and Raiders coach Pete Carroll intervened to keep a couple of dustups from turning into fights, including on special teams. — Cam Inman, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dustups
  1. skirmishes
  2. clashes
  3. fights
  4. battles
Noun
  • Pantani had targeted this stage from the start of the Tour and his Mercatone Uno team helped set the pace as the peloton made their way from Saint-Étienne to the foot of the Alpe but even once there Pantani bided his time in the early skirmishes.
    — Duncan Alexander, New York Times, 24 July 2026
  • Border skirmishes also recurred, most notably the 1967 clashes between Chinese and Indian troops near Nathu La and Cho La, passes along the Tibet-Sikkim border, that resulted in heavy casualties.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 July 2026
Definition of skirmishes
Noun
  • The border confrontation continued for 73 days, with occasional clashes that left soldiers on both sides injured.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 July 2026
  • Delhi Police said that around 180 people were injured amid the Monday clashes, including 118 security personnel and 60 protesters.
    — Connor Greene, Time, 22 July 2026
Definition of clashes
Noun
  • Both Roach, coming off three consecutive draws in title fights, and Zepeda, looking to bounce back from a loss, desperately need a decisive win.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • That divide has become more pronounced as national politics seep into local education fights.
    — Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of fights
Noun
  • This week, an over-the-hill Kevin Hart, (pickleball) court battles, and Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie (and its related series), among others, demand your attention.
    — Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 24 July 2026
  • These individuals are already fighting some of the most difficult battles of their lives.
    — Jigar Thakkar, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
Definition of battles

Browse Nearby Words

dustup
dustups
dusty
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Cite this Entry

“Dustups.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dustups. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

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