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
Geekie said the lighthearted start to Tuesday’s practice, with all the players on the ice at once essentially playing two scrimmages, can help.
—
Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
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
These games, previously played as closed-door scrimmages without media, cheerleaders or fans, have often served as an inverse predictor of the coming season.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 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
If Friday’s scrimmages were any indication, Christie seems to be leaning toward Saric and Eubanks.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
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
These games, previously played as closed-door scrimmages without media, cheerleaders or fans, have often served as an inverse predictor of the coming season.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 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
If Friday’s scrimmages were any indication, Christie seems to be leaning toward Saric and Eubanks.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrimmages
Noun
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These were not skirmishes but full-scale conflicts, usually costing tens—sometimes hundreds—of thousands of lives.—
Robert Kagan,
The Atlantic,
18 Jan. 2026
-
The tactics of federal immigration agents have come under intense scrutiny after the shooting of Good and growing skirmishes between federal officers and protesters.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
16 Jan. 2026
Noun
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And Eat Street was the scene of a series of clashes, before federal officers and local and state police pulled back and protesters took over the area.—
Jack Brook,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2026
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Considered to be one of the earliest TV villains, the reality television alum was known for his lack of personal hygiene, as well as his frequent clashes with fellow housemates.—
Nicholas Rice,
PEOPLE,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Doing so would delay response times to medical emergencies, fights, suicide attempts and fires.—
Sarah Cutler,
Idaho Statesman,
31 Jan. 2026
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Most of Szalay’s fights end by decision, and neither man has ever been finished by strikes.—
Brett Appley,
New York Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
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After stepping through a giant wooden door, tall grass teems with wild Pokémon, adorable critters strike charming poses and battles break out between fierce opponents.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
27 Jan. 2026
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ByteDance’s focus on AI ByteDance also has other battles to fight.—
Nicholas Gordon,
Fortune,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scrimmages.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrimmages. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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