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skirmish 1 of 2

noun

ˈskər-mish How to pronounce skirmish (audio)
Definition of skirmishnext
1
as in encounter
a brief clash between enemies or rivals the candidates' first debate was only a skirmish in a very long campaign

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2
as in clash
a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups throughout the week of the convention, police engaged in skirmishes with some of the demonstrators

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

skirmish

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to brawl

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2
as in to prospect

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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 skirmish
Noun
The moment brought back memories of their infamous skirmish in San Diego, a kerfuffle caught on camera. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 30 Aug. 2026 There was a brief skirmish in the end zone after Howell's 2-point conversion run. — ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
Verb
The two sides have also skirmished along the border in the past. — NPR, 12 Oct. 2025 Steve’s gun barked almost in my ear, and the sound brought that treetop skirmish to a sudden conclusion. — Charles Elliott, Outdoor Life, 21 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for skirmish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skirmish
  1. encounter
  2. clash
  3. brawl
  4. prospect
  5. battle
  6. probe
  7. fight
  8. explore
Noun
  • Grazer put up a fight against Chunk to defend her cubs, but one cub died after the encounter.
    — Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Blanco’s family’s lawsuit argued the officers could have done more to deescalate the encounter, including through the use of less-lethal weapons, such as a 40mm projectile launcher.
    — Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of encounter
Noun
  • In the second week of the college football season, in a clash of titans, the University of Texas scored 21 unanswered points to surge past Ohio State in the fourth quarter and win, 24-23.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026
  • The latest public clash between the Spencers and Windsors is therefore a test of alliances for the British royal clan.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of clash
Verb
  • Both trips include a stop at the town jail after brawling with the locals, albeit this time John’s the one behind bars instead of Hal.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 20 Sep. 2026
  • The teams brawled on the outside for minutes, but the chants started up again.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of brawl
Verb
  • That time comes out of prospecting, planning and relationship expansion.
    — Satish Avhad, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Can any of them stake a claim to a rotation spot and save the team some money and/or prospects this offseason?
    — Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of prospect
Noun
  • The sequence in which a half dozen planes battle Ghidorah in the air is grand, eye-popping filmmaking.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Now, Anthropic has lost a key battle in its fight against being designated a supply chain risk by the US government.
    — Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of battle
Verb
  • Indeed, in her devotion to sparkle, Pechman declines to probe too deeply into any of the industry’s more hurtful or exploitative dimensions.
    — Natalia Winkelman, Variety, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Philadelphia police continue to probe a home in the city's Olney neighborhood that is linked to at least five women who are presumed dead, with the investigation into their disappearances centering around a father-son duo who lived in the house.
    — Jordan Freiman, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of probe
Noun
  • The fight, Haro said, is about more than extending a lease or delaying an eviction.
    — Laura Rodríguez Presa, Chicago Tribune, 26 Sep. 2026
  • The opposite is true for our pal Shikishima, who has absolutely no interest in ever climbing back into the cockpit of a fight plane.
    — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of fight
Verb
  • The half-day Istanbul tour was amazing, with a visit to Zeyrek Mosque, exploring the Basilica Cistern, and wandering the Spice Market, alive with the most fragrant foodstuffs.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
  • The third season evolved into The Vampire Lestat, exploring Lestat’s time as a rock star in a modern context alongside his origin story in the 18th century.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of explore

Phrases Containing skirmish

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skips (out)
skirmish
skirmished
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Cite this Entry

“Skirmish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skirmish. Accessed 28 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on skirmish

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about skirmish

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