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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
1
2
as in to prospect
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of skirmish
Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
Protesters and police skirmished in Georgia’s capital for a fourth straight night on Dec. 1, with signs that opposition was spreading across the country to the government’s decision to suspend talks on joining the European Union.
—Felix Light, The Christian Science Monitor, 2 Dec. 2024
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
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
Protesters and police skirmished in Georgia’s capital for a fourth straight night on Dec. 1, with signs that opposition was spreading across the country to the government’s decision to suspend talks on joining the European Union.
—Felix Light, The Christian Science Monitor, 2 Dec. 2024
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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Plant, then 18, had a brief but powerful encounter with the princess that sparked her lifelong mission to honor Diana’s legacy.—
Janine Henni,
People.com,
28 June 2025
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But policing experts say the aggressive approach is provoking unnecessarily dangerous encounters.—
Lauren Villagran,
USA Today,
28 June 2025
Noun
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In many ways, the game might offer a blueprint for the quarterfinal clash against Paris Saint-Germain.—
Manuel Veth,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2025
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Small groups of far-right counter-protesters attempted to disrupt the parade, but police kept them away and diverted the route of the march to avoid any clashes.—
Anita Komuves,
USA Today,
28 June 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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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
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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
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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Amid the physical fights during each game, the broader battle between Gi-hun and the Front Man has always been existential: Are people worth saving?—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
27 June 2025
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Then, in 2019, the Supreme Court ruled that federal courts do not have a role to play in deciding legal fights over partisan gerrymandering, when state's voting lines are drawn to entrench the political party in power.—
June 27,
CBS News,
27 June 2025
Verb
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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Skirmish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skirmish. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.
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