1
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of skirmishes
Robert Kagan, The Atlantic, 18 Jan. 2026
The tactics of federal immigration agents have come under intense scrutiny after the shooting of Good and growing skirmishes between federal officers and protesters.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 16 Jan. 2026
Whenever these sides meet, the individual skirmishes between Marc Cucurella and Bukayo Saka always seem to play a part.
—Art De Roché, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026
There have been skirmishes with Thiago’s distant relatives, the ones still living in isolation deep in the territory.
—Sadia Shepard, New Yorker, 11 Jan. 2026
Hundreds of thousands of civilians were displaced from their homes in both countries when border skirmishes broke out for the second time this year.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 27 Dec. 2025
For more than a century, Thailand and Cambodia have contested sovereignty at various undemarcated points along their 817-kilometer (508-mile) land border – a dispute that has occasionally exploded into skirmishes and fighting.
—CNN Money, 27 Dec. 2025
This has been interpreted as a rapprochement between China and India after decades of border skirmishes and maritime friction.
—Hyeran Jo, The Conversation, 18 Dec. 2025
The two got into multiple skirmishes as the intensity was turned up a notch.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 15 Dec. 2025
Noun
These were not skirmishes but full-scale conflicts, usually costing tens—sometimes hundreds—of thousands of lives.
—Robert Kagan, The Atlantic, 18 Jan. 2026
The tactics of federal immigration agents have come under intense scrutiny after the shooting of Good and growing skirmishes between federal officers and protesters.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 16 Jan. 2026
Whenever these sides meet, the individual skirmishes between Marc Cucurella and Bukayo Saka always seem to play a part.
—Art De Roché, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026
There have been skirmishes with Thiago’s distant relatives, the ones still living in isolation deep in the territory.
—Sadia Shepard, New Yorker, 11 Jan. 2026
Hundreds of thousands of civilians were displaced from their homes in both countries when border skirmishes broke out for the second time this year.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 27 Dec. 2025
For more than a century, Thailand and Cambodia have contested sovereignty at various undemarcated points along their 817-kilometer (508-mile) land border – a dispute that has occasionally exploded into skirmishes and fighting.
—CNN Money, 27 Dec. 2025
This has been interpreted as a rapprochement between China and India after decades of border skirmishes and maritime friction.
—Hyeran Jo, The Conversation, 18 Dec. 2025
The two got into multiple skirmishes as the intensity was turned up a notch.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 15 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skirmishes
Noun
-
Many people envision salary discussions as adversarial encounters with winners and losers.—
Kwame Christian Esq,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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Such brief and intermittent encounters had profound consequences, for the Islanders and for our understanding of their story, even now.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
And Eat Street was the scene of a series of clashes, before federal officers and local and state police pulled back and protesters took over the area.—
Jack Brook,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Considered to be one of the earliest TV villains, the reality television alum was known for his lack of personal hygiene, as well as his frequent clashes with fellow housemates.—
Nicholas Rice,
PEOPLE,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Alabama prospects with the most to gain 5.—
Dane Brugler,
New York Times,
1 Jan. 2026
-
Ahead of first pitch, Royals prospects David Shields and Carson Roccaforte were among those dressed in luxury suits to receive their organizational awards.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
20 Sep. 2025
Noun
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There were still fights to fight and Perfidia’s restlessness and struggles adjusting to motherhood led her to leave.—
Lindsey Underwood,
Vanity Fair,
13 Jan. 2026
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From high-stakes budget fights to ambitious transit plans and a political cycle already heating up, these are some of the people who will leave their fingerprints on the year ahead.—
Austin American Statesman,
Austin American Statesman,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Toe tap on the sideline for 17, then boxes out Greg Newsome for 14 more.—
Joe Nguyen,
Denver Post,
21 Dec. 2025
-
This, alas, also boxes his constituents in.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The testimony comes as the committee probes Smith's actions during his time as special counsel in the Biden administration.—
Melissa Quinn,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2026
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The interim appointment comes a month after the Convention Center Authority parted ways with its former CEO Marcel Vernon, by way of a $500,00 severance agreement, as a state committee probes corruption allegations at the agency.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
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After stepping through a giant wooden door, tall grass teems with wild Pokémon, adorable critters strike charming poses and battles break out between fierce opponents.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
27 Jan. 2026
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ByteDance’s focus on AI ByteDance also has other battles to fight.—
Nicholas Gordon,
Fortune,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Annaka Harris explores what happens when […] Stoicism has been flattened into slogans about toughness, detachment, and emotional silence, a version that’s easy to sell, but mostly wrong.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Francesca found solace in his cousin Michael and the rest of the story explores their romance.—
Lea Veloso,
StyleCaster,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Skirmishes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skirmishes. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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