as in skirmishes
a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups
the two players got into a scrimmage off the court and got suspended
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Recent Examples of scrimmages
Some of that was a byproduct of two scrimmages at the draft combine last May in Chicago, where a 30% career 3-point shooter went 5 of 11 behind the longer NBA arc.
—
Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
Boston’s superstar wing has been fully participating in 5-of-5 scrimmages with teammates, according to a report from ESPN’s Shams Charania, and is co-producing a docuseries with NBC about his comeback.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 28 Feb. 2026
Sometimes, in the schoolyard picks before scrimmages, Bird wasn’t selected at all.
—Keith O'Brien, Rolling Stone, 22 Feb. 2026
La Habra coach Frank Mazzotta and San Jacinto coach Aric Galliano are close friends and bring their programs together for scrimmages and passing competitions.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 28 Nov. 2025
According to Johnson, however, the standout guard has yet to return to team scrimmages ahead of Tuesday's showdown with the Philadelphia 76ers.
—Evan Bell, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
After taking care of Tarleton State and Texas in preseason scrimmages, the real season is almost here for TCU men’s basketball.
—Steven Johnson
october 31, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Oct. 2025
Instead, the event featured dueling DJs, and both the women’s and men’s squads held traditional scrimmages.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 18 Oct. 2025
These two games replace closed scrimmages against DI foes and open-to-public exhibitions against lower-level schools.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 15 Oct. 2025
Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
Boston’s superstar wing has been fully participating in 5-of-5 scrimmages with teammates, according to a report from ESPN’s Shams Charania, and is co-producing a docuseries with NBC about his comeback.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 28 Feb. 2026
Sometimes, in the schoolyard picks before scrimmages, Bird wasn’t selected at all.
—Keith O'Brien, Rolling Stone, 22 Feb. 2026
La Habra coach Frank Mazzotta and San Jacinto coach Aric Galliano are close friends and bring their programs together for scrimmages and passing competitions.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 28 Nov. 2025
According to Johnson, however, the standout guard has yet to return to team scrimmages ahead of Tuesday's showdown with the Philadelphia 76ers.
—Evan Bell, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
After taking care of Tarleton State and Texas in preseason scrimmages, the real season is almost here for TCU men’s basketball.
—Steven Johnson
october 31, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Oct. 2025
Instead, the event featured dueling DJs, and both the women’s and men’s squads held traditional scrimmages.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 18 Oct. 2025
These two games replace closed scrimmages against DI foes and open-to-public exhibitions against lower-level schools.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 15 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrimmages
Noun
-
The two also got into multiple skirmishes back in December during a recent Lakers-Suns game, including James knocking down Brooks after some contact from the NBA's all-time leading scorer.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Enrigue’s novel is inspired by the long-running Apache Wars of the 19th century, a series of brutal skirmishes between various Apache bands and the armies of the United States and Mexico.—
Carolina A. Miranda,
The Atlantic,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The train, which was originally slated to open in 2023, has faced significant delays caused by clashes between the airport and contractor, LAX Integrated Express Solutions, over timeline, compensation and production.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Emir Balat, 18, and Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, were arrested in connection with the device at Saturday’s chaotic rally, which saw clashes between Lang and counterprotesters outside the Upper East Side mayoral residence of Mayor Mamdani.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Some injuries stemmed from fights between detainees, including a man who said he had been kicked in the ear and battered in his ribs.—
Morgan Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Some injuries stemmed from fights between detainees, including a man who said he had been kicked in the ear and battered in his ribs.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Comfort battles formality fighting to break free.—
Julissa James,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
For example, one recent night, the room between Cardboard Corner Café and TableTop was set up for Warhammer, where enthusiasts collect, build, and paint miniatures, and fight strategic tabletop battles.—
Debra Skodack,
Kansas City Star,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scrimmages.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrimmages. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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