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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
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as in to prospect
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of skirmish
Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 22 Feb. 2025
The defense consultant Serge Willoughby plays a prank on his host at a Georgetown party that completely backfires to the point that not only is the host arrested but also skirmishing between the United States and China begins and World War III looms.
—Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 10 June 2025
For Berger, one of the first people to spring to mind was Fiona Dourif, who plays Dr. Cassie McKay, a single mother with a mysterious ankle bracelet that hints at a past skirmish with the law.
—Jenelle Riley, Variety, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for skirmish
Noun
Watching the map provides all the information about where combatants are moving, what skirmishes they’re engaged in, and where points of convergence may arise.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 22 Feb. 2025
The defense consultant Serge Willoughby plays a prank on his host at a Georgetown party that completely backfires to the point that not only is the host arrested but also skirmishing between the United States and China begins and World War III looms.
—Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
Verb
While Kendrick hasn’t dropped a track in this specific skirmish, his name looms large.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 10 June 2025
For Berger, one of the first people to spring to mind was Fiona Dourif, who plays Dr. Cassie McKay, a single mother with a mysterious ankle bracelet that hints at a past skirmish with the law.
—Jenelle Riley, Variety, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for skirmish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skirmish
Noun
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Hynde at the time, had a more pleasant encounter, however.—
Gary Graff,
Billboard,
11 July 2025
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The actor, who starred in 85 episodes of the mogul's BET series The Oval, reflected on his time working with Perry in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, detailing the alleged encounters that led him to file the $260 million lawsuit.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
11 July 2025
Noun
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President Donald Trump broke his silence one day after reports of a clash between U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino about the release of a memo regarding Jeffrey Epstein, which prompted conservatives on social media to call for the president to fire her.—
Peter Aitken,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 July 2025
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Steve Garcia When the betting odds were first published for the Calvin Kattar vs. Steve Garcia featherweight clash, Garcia was listed as a -140 betting favorite over the +115 Kattar.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
Verb
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The president spoke as if a war between nations was similar to a fight between brawling children.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
15 June 2025
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The border state had been rife with turmoil as secessionists street brawled with unionists about whose side Maryland should join.—
Zaakir Tameez
June 11,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2025
Verb
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The player to keep an eye on is prospect Bryce Eldridge, 20, who was promoted to Triple-A Sacramento as part of Posey’s sweeping changes.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 June 2025
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Angels prospect Kyren Paris, who was struggling at the plate in recent weeks — hitting just .190 — was optioned to triple-A Salt Lake City to make room for Taylor on the roster.—
Benjamin Royer,
Los Angeles Times,
26 May 2025
Noun
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The battle will continue as Trump has blasted the mainstream media for years and signed an executive order to cut federal funding for National Public Radio and PBS, said U.S. Rep. John B. Larson of East Hartford.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
7 July 2025
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His 2014 film The Grave tells the story of a man who hears about the discovery of a mass grave and escapes from a nursing home to confront his past on the site of the Battle of the Ebro, the longest and largest battle of the Spanish Civil War.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
7 July 2025
Verb
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That’s why in-person cues, reference checks and situational interviews that probe integrity and judgment are still essential.—
Jennifer C. Wolfe,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
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The House Investigative Committee tasked with probing the wildfires concluded that unmaintained electrical lines for oilfield equipment started at least two of the blazes.—
Jayme Lozano Carver,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
Noun
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Some scenes, like a fight that takes place in an antiproton river in the pocket universe, feel almost more like a cartoon than live-action, and not in a good way.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
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The antibiotics he was prescribed after the fight could have also altered his mind.—
Caroline Blair,
People.com,
9 July 2025
Verb
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There is still not enough data exploring how these dyes can affect people, but researchers are exploring potential links between them and hyperactivity and neurobehavioral issues in children.—
Alice Park,
Time,
7 July 2025
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The conversation will explore the urgent role of politics in this moment, the impact of federal policy on everyday lives, and how state leadership can be a catalyst for closing the racial wealth gap, expanding opportunity, and protecting our freedoms.—
Essence,
Essence,
7 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Skirmish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skirmish. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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