Synonyms of skirmish

skirmish 1 of 2

noun

ˈskər-mish 

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

• encounter
• brush
• fight
• brawl
• run-in
• quarrel
• argument
• battle
• spat
• scrape
• squabble
• hassle
• row
• tiff
• fray
• wrangle

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

• clash
• battle
• fight
• scuffle
• struggle
• tussle
• brawl
• fray
• dustup
• contest
• conflict
• combat
• duel
• scrimmage
• confrontation
• altercation
• fracas
• scrum
• quarrel
• melee
• scrap
• rough-and-tumble
• dispute
• pitched battle
• fistfight
• fisticuffs
• spat
• blows
• battle royal
• slugfest
• hassle
• affray
• punch-up
• squabble
• donnybrook
• joust
• ruckus
• face-off
• mix-up
• tangle
• free-for-all
• row
• ruction
• controversy
• broil
• contretemps
• tiff
• falling-out
• punch-out
• catfight
• misunderstanding
• cross fire
• wrangle
• disagreement
• argument
• grapple
• kickup
• handgrips
• argle-bargle
• argy-bargy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• truce

skirmish

2 of 2

verb

1

as in to brawl

Related Words

• brawl
• box
• combat
• battle
• hit
• spar
• duel
• fight
• slug
• buffet
• war (against)
• punch
• strike
• batter
• bash
• contend
• clash (with)
• tussle
• scuffle
• wrestle
• beat
• grapple
• rassle

2

as in to prospect

Related Words

• prospect
• probe
• explore
• poke (around)
• look over
• find out
• track (down)
• run down
• glance (over)
• find
• ascertain
• study
• grub (about)
• snoop
• learn
• hit (on or upon)
• locate
• discover
• check (out)
• detect
• browse
• audit
• determine
• survey
• scare up
• rifle
• investigate
• review
• ferret (out)
• peruse
• examine
• inspect
• get
• scan
• search
• scrutinize
• descry
• dig (through)
• hunt (through)
• shake down
• rake
• troll
• pat down
• dredge
• scour
• comb
• frisk
• rummage
• sort (through)
• ransack

Dissimilar Words

• hide
• lose
• abandon
• ignore
• neglect

Example Sentences

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

Phrases Containing skirmish

• skirmish (with)