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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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
  • Chivayo was a close ally of Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa and often posted pictures of encounters, including dinners, with heads of state from across Africa.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026
  • But the work’s critics also appeal to its past; actual encounter is informed by historical circumstances, which means looking back.
    — Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of encounter
Noun
  • More Tensions in Tigray have escalated for months with clashes and airstrikes.
    — Adrian Elimian, semafor.com, 28 Sep. 2026
  • After quarterback Camren Ketner was injured, Frithsmith switched positions late in the third quarter and helped Hart (4-1) take over as the league title favorite ahead of its clash with Valencia.
    — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of clash
Verb
  • Latino culture typecasts hombres as eternal machos always a few drinks away from brawling or bawling.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
  • 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
Definition of brawl
Verb
  • The Bank of Canada warned this month that new tariffs had made the country’s growth prospects more uncertain and increased upside risks to inflation.
    — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026
  • That time comes out of prospecting, planning and relationship expansion.
    — Satish Avhad, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 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
  • The researchers therefore see the result as a benchmark for future experiments that directly probe the state’s topological order and the exchange statistics of its quasiparticles.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2026
  • If this scandal is not going to be repeated, further probing is essential.
    — Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 26 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
  • Each bungalow has a deck—most with direct beach access—as well as its own golf cart and bikes for exploring the 96-acre island.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The panel will explore how clubs build global businesses through commercial growth, fan engagement and international expansion.
    — Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 30 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 2 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on skirmish

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about skirmish

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