1
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in to prospect
Related Words
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
Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026
These rules had been tightened since 2020, when relations soured following a deadly border skirmish in the Galwan Valley, where several Indian and Chinese soldiers died.
—Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 7 Apr. 2026
The skirmishes are a preview for more campaigns later this year, when at least a half-dozen states will hold elections for utility regulators.
—ABC News, 6 Apr. 2026
Then two shots straight at the heart of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, then a local skirmish or two, and then cataclysm.
—Literary Hub, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for skirmish
Noun
Shell also resigned as a Paramount board member to focus on his legal skirmish, the company said.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026
These rules had been tightened since 2020, when relations soured following a deadly border skirmish in the Galwan Valley, where several Indian and Chinese soldiers died.
—Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 7 Apr. 2026
The skirmishes are a preview for more campaigns later this year, when at least a half-dozen states will hold elections for utility regulators.
—ABC News, 6 Apr. 2026
Then two shots straight at the heart of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, then a local skirmish or two, and then cataclysm.
—Literary Hub, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for skirmish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skirmish
Noun
-
Other sources for asteroid activity include breakup when an asteroid spins too fast, tidal forces ripping apart asteroids during close encounters with a planet, or gas release.—
Patrick M. Shober,
The Conversation,
10 Apr. 2026
-
That first encounter was when the woman was on the congressman’s team.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
All three judges scored it 98-92 for the 29-year-old Briton, who sustained cuts over both eyes from head clashes.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
And the clash of ideologies must now be balanced on the backs of many hardworking people trying to keep their children out of institutional care and on the Medicaid providers that support them.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
And in 2025, the Bearista cup caused a craze, with customers lining up overnight and, in some cases, brawling over it.—
Nick El Hajj,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Republicans have a rare, if slim, shot at winning the governor’s mansion in deep blue California — but risk blowing it if they’re divided and brawling when voters receive their ballots in early May.—
Joe Garofoli,
San Francisco Chronicle,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Blackhawks prospect Roman Kantserov and Metallurg are rolling in the KHL playoffs.—
Scott Powers,
New York Times,
15 Apr. 2026
-
From a robot that can handwrite hundreds of real estate prospecting cards in minutes to a digital consultant that can narrow down thousands of mortgage options for a client, artificial intelligence has finally arrived in the real estate industry.—
Amancai Biraben,
Oc Register,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Avoid ego battles with parents and bosses.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Find out for yourself with its chaotic four-on-four battles.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This way the scientists probed the material’s internal magnetic dynamics at the atomic level.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Both of those events took place in 2016, well outside the statute of limitations, but prosecutors are probing whether Brennan committed perjury when testifying under oath about these events before Congress in 2023.—
Sarah N. Lynch,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Republican candidates, State Senator Mayes Middleton and Central Texas Congressman Chip Roy, are in a very contentious fight.—
Jack Fink
April 12,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
The crowd laughed, and the Parenthood actor noted that people intervened and broke up the fight.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Sydney, meanwhile, wants to continue exploring her connection to Xzavier.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Barrow, a prominent voice in skate culture, also hosts a series with Thrasher Magazine exploring skate spots around the world.—
Loureen Ayyoub,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Skirmish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skirmish. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
