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
On the court For those interested in playing, two days of scrimmages followed Tuesday’s measurements and drills.
—
John Hollinger, New York Times, 15 May 2026
Despite some rough showings in a few scrimmages, Craig performed well overall as he gets acclimated to a new team, scheme and a much tougher level of college football.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Apr. 2026
The Bulldogs have four practices remaining this spring, and two of them will be scrimmages.
—Connor Riley, AJC.com, 10 Apr. 2026
Tatum then ramped up his activity, which included practicing with Boston’s G League team and running through full-speed scrimmages with Celtics teammates before making his season debut on March 6.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 7 Apr. 2026
But after being expected to take the next step – participating in full-contact scrimmages and practices – the team scaled back Curry’s work.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026
Redick has called the 21-year-old guard one of the team’s better players in the stay-ready games – practice scrimmages for low-usage players on the team.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 26 Mar. 2026
Jacobo has received fervent support from administrators, including Highlands principal Adrian Hid, who has sat through rainy scrimmages to back the team.
—Christina Huang, San Antonio Express-News, 19 Mar. 2026
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
John Hollinger, New York Times, 15 May 2026
Despite some rough showings in a few scrimmages, Craig performed well overall as he gets acclimated to a new team, scheme and a much tougher level of college football.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Apr. 2026
The Bulldogs have four practices remaining this spring, and two of them will be scrimmages.
—Connor Riley, AJC.com, 10 Apr. 2026
Tatum then ramped up his activity, which included practicing with Boston’s G League team and running through full-speed scrimmages with Celtics teammates before making his season debut on March 6.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 7 Apr. 2026
But after being expected to take the next step – participating in full-contact scrimmages and practices – the team scaled back Curry’s work.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026
Redick has called the 21-year-old guard one of the team’s better players in the stay-ready games – practice scrimmages for low-usage players on the team.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 26 Mar. 2026
Jacobo has received fervent support from administrators, including Highlands principal Adrian Hid, who has sat through rainy scrimmages to back the team.
—Christina Huang, San Antonio Express-News, 19 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrimmages
Noun
-
The game was delayed with just under six minutes on the clock after several skirmishes broke out, leading to the ejections of Seals captain Wes Berg and Toronto’s Elijah Gash.—
Ivan Carter,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 May 2026
-
The early skirmishes certainly appeared that way.—
Josh Gross,
Daily News,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The most recent back-and-forth over talks comes after a week of sporadic clashes in the Persian Gulf, amid a month-long ceasefire.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
11 May 2026
-
Meanwhile, small-scale clashes continued around the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, underscoring the fragility of the ceasefire between Iran and the United States.—
James LaPorta,
CBS News,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
The ultimate goal, organizers said, is to win more elections, sway policy fights and protect diverse political representation at all levels.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
17 May 2026
-
The biggest issue with these Netflix stunt-fights, aside from the age and condition of the fighters, is that the main event takes forever to start.—
Marlow Stern,
Variety,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
The Alabama case is part of a broader national wave of redistricting battles.—
Rena Rowe,
The Washington Examiner,
12 May 2026
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In the legal battles that will follow, artificial intelligence may prove to be the sharpest tool in the courtroom.—
Philip Wang,
Time,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scrimmages.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrimmages. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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