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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Dissimilar Words

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
Ties between the two countries, which had deteriorated sharply following a deadly border skirmish in 2020, have been thawing for more than a year. — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2026 The duo walks away from this skirmish, though not unscathed, as Samjad quickly and economically sets up a blistering saga of stylish reprisals with no holds barred. — Siddhant Adlakha, IndieWire, 17 Sep. 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
  • Peters has denied the allegations and says the encounter was consensual.
    — Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The man who shot a gun in a road rage dispute outside Rangeview High School Tuesday has a history of violent road rage encounters, as alleged in arrest documents.
    — Olivia Young, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of encounter
Noun
  • But any Republican looking for the nomination to succeed Trump will have to sidestep the same sort of internal clashes over Israel that have bedeviled Democrats.
    — Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • In Spain, the unrest was largely concentrated in Barcelona, unlike France, where protests and clashes spread across multiple cities.
    — Amanda Macias, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of clash
Verb
  • Combs was previously placed in solitary confinement after brawling with another inmate back in July.
    — Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Latino culture typecasts hombres as eternal machos always a few drinks away from brawling or bawling.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of brawl
Verb
  • Kansas City Royals prospect Carson Roccaforte arrived at Kauffman Stadium wearing a sleek white shirt and monochromatic suit ensemble.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 12 Oct. 2026
  • With the league’s mega TV deal and the growth prospects domestically and internationally, the business of the league is starting to mirror that of the NFL—and investors are clamoring to secure a part of it.
    — Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of prospect
Noun
  • The leader, facing a tough re-election battle, has focused much of his campaign ahead of Tuesday’s vote on security.
    — Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 24 Oct. 2026
  • By focusing on the battles fought in luxury department stores, fashion shows, high-end spas, nail salons, and the home, the film illustrated just how limited even privileged women’s options were.
    — Raymond Ang, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of battle
Verb
  • The documentary angle, of course, is this great director probing the ethics in his own vocation as an intrusive force, one that shapes lives, emotions and, in this case, the weight of a genuine tragedy.
    — Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The commission’s investigatory unit will first probe the situation, according to the commission’s website, and then present its findings to its probable cause committee.
    — Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of probe
Noun
  • The film follows Jiwa, a father who sacrifices everything in a fight to save Juna, his son, who has blood cancer.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The confrontation escalated into a fight that left both tourists injured.
    — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of fight
Verb
  • The Swedish polymath explores the sounds, language, and imagery of Americana on a drolly observational singer-songwriter album.
    — Harry Thorfinn-George, Pitchfork, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The series explores the unsettling collision of ancient witchcraft beliefs and modern digital dating culture.
    — Samantha Bergeson, Time, 22 Oct. 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 29 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on skirmish

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about skirmish

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