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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

skirmish

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to brawl

Related Words
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
This leads to even more behind-the-scenes skirmishes laced with character-centric comedy, as opposing factions align. — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026 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
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
  • The women have testified in court about alleged encounters at a hotel, a bar, a radio station, a workplace and Brand’s home.
    — Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Their brief encounter leads Tanya to purchase a beautiful antique glass snowflake which, unbeknownst to her or Jason, is a good luck charm that carries a generations-old Christmas tradition.
    — Rachel LaBonte, Entertainment Weekly, 29 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
  • Her father and mother had divorced, but Juan Fernandez’s legend had been fixed as a brawling union leader and New Mexico state legislator.
    — James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
  • On the night of January 14, after some drinking, two young men started brawling and the incident turned bloody—an average Tuesday evening in this part of the city at this time.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 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 proof of concept combines robotic manipulation, AI and virtual simulation to explore how robots can pick components from containers and arrange them in the correct order for vehicle assembly.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Recast as geometry, the old identities now point toward unmapped territory, raising questions that mathematicians are eager to explore.
    — Lyndie Chiou, Scientific American, 29 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 1 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on skirmish

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