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2
as in clashes
a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups
throughout the week of the convention, police engaged in skirmishes with some of the demonstrators
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of skirmishes
Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 6 Mar. 2026
Enrigue’s novel is inspired by the long-running Apache Wars of the 19th century, a series of brutal skirmishes between various Apache bands and the armies of the United States and Mexico.
—Carolina A. Miranda, The Atlantic, 5 Mar. 2026
What happened Pakistan’s military Sunday escalated days of violent skirmishes with Afghanistan by launching airstrikes on Bagram Air Base, according to Afghan officials.
—Peter Weber, TheWeek, 2 Mar. 2026
Instead, Washington stages high-volume skirmishes over symbolic and petty conflicts.
—Jay Caruso, The Washington Examiner, 27 Feb. 2026
Pakistan and neighboring India, both nuclear armed powers, have periodically engaged in wars, clashes and skirmishes since gaining independence from British colonial rule in 1947.
—Munir Ahmed, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026
Large SUVs carrying journalists from national outlets struggled to get around each other and at times got into skirmishes.
—Helen Rummel, AZCentral.com, 22 Feb. 2026
As the hearings continued, Welch and Cohn engaged in heated legal skirmishes.
—Kristen Monroe, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
And while his 11 years with the Yankees were often marked with verbal skirmishes with George Steinbrenner, in 1982 the Boss showed his respect for Nettles’ baseball acumen and quiet clubhouse leadership to name him the first Yankee captain since Thurman Munson’s death in 1979.
—Bill Madden, New York Daily News, 31 Jan. 2026
Noun
The two also got into multiple skirmishes back in December during a recent Lakers-Suns game, including James knocking down Brooks after some contact from the NBA's all-time leading scorer.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 6 Mar. 2026
Enrigue’s novel is inspired by the long-running Apache Wars of the 19th century, a series of brutal skirmishes between various Apache bands and the armies of the United States and Mexico.
—Carolina A. Miranda, The Atlantic, 5 Mar. 2026
What happened Pakistan’s military Sunday escalated days of violent skirmishes with Afghanistan by launching airstrikes on Bagram Air Base, according to Afghan officials.
—Peter Weber, TheWeek, 2 Mar. 2026
Instead, Washington stages high-volume skirmishes over symbolic and petty conflicts.
—Jay Caruso, The Washington Examiner, 27 Feb. 2026
Pakistan and neighboring India, both nuclear armed powers, have periodically engaged in wars, clashes and skirmishes since gaining independence from British colonial rule in 1947.
—Munir Ahmed, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026
Large SUVs carrying journalists from national outlets struggled to get around each other and at times got into skirmishes.
—Helen Rummel, AZCentral.com, 22 Feb. 2026
As the hearings continued, Welch and Cohn engaged in heated legal skirmishes.
—Kristen Monroe, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
And while his 11 years with the Yankees were often marked with verbal skirmishes with George Steinbrenner, in 1982 the Boss showed his respect for Nettles’ baseball acumen and quiet clubhouse leadership to name him the first Yankee captain since Thurman Munson’s death in 1979.
—Bill Madden, New York Daily News, 31 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skirmishes
Noun
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While most encounters don't result in injuries, Fetter notes that Yellowstone's most recent season saw multiple incidents, including bear maulings, bison gorings, and a wolf attack.—
Iona Brannon,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Mar. 2026
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Perry, who, in his several decades at the reserve, has had all sorts of encounters—including having to flip a canoe to avoid a wading hippo—tells one tale of being forced, on a patrol, up a tree by an aggressive buffalo.—
Tom Vanderbilt,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The train, which was originally slated to open in 2023, has faced significant delays caused by clashes between the airport and contractor, LAX Integrated Express Solutions, over timeline, compensation and production.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
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Emir Balat, 18, and Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, were arrested in connection with the device at Saturday’s chaotic rally, which saw clashes between Lang and counterprotesters outside the Upper East Side mayoral residence of Mayor Mamdani.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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As the man brawls with his in-laws, the boy is caught between two worlds, of male rage and female subjection.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Angels prospects Najer Victor and Sam Aldegheri had encouraging performances in the World Baseball Classic this weekend.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
8 Mar. 2026
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Some combination of a first-round pick and prospects Konsta Helenius, Noah Ostlund and Radim Mrtka would need to be on the table.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Some injuries stemmed from fights between detainees, including a man who said he had been kicked in the ear and battered in his ribs.—
Morgan Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
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Some injuries stemmed from fights between detainees, including a man who said he had been kicked in the ear and battered in his ribs.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Nick Phillips, with Applied Digital, said the tax exemption ban effectively boxes out data centers from building in South Dakota.—
Makenzie Huber,
States Newsroom,
19 Feb. 2026
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The rich Redfellows get dispatched one by one in scenes that are fun but empty — neither cathartic nor comic, simply boxes to be checked off to great big poundings of thunder and harpsichords.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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With a different school as the backdrop for each chapter, the series probes the ambitions, secrets, and corruptions that fester within institutions.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
8 Mar. 2026
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Department of Justice probes Indiana University's scholarship programs.—
Evan Frank,
IndyStar,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Comfort battles formality fighting to break free.—
Julissa James,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
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For example, one recent night, the room between Cardboard Corner Café and TableTop was set up for Warhammer, where enthusiasts collect, build, and paint miniatures, and fight strategic tabletop battles.—
Debra Skodack,
Kansas City Star,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Skirmishes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skirmishes. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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