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
Dan Walters, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026
In a dangerous escalation from cross-border skirmishes, Pakistan launched air strikes at the end of February, targeting major cities including Kabul.
—Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 24 Mar. 2026
So far, most of the state-level legal skirmishes centered on Kalshi’s event contracts have involved cease-and-desist letters, seeking preliminary injunctions, and civil enforcement.
—Bloomberg Wire, Dallas Morning News, 18 Mar. 2026
The war began after several rounds of airstrikes and cross-border skirmishes, stemming from Pakistani claims that the Afghan government was harboring terrorists who used the country as a base to launch attacks against Pakistan.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 17 Mar. 2026
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
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
Noun
With billions of dollars at stake, the conflicts manifest in sharp skirmishes in the Legislature, in courts and in the ballot measure arena.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026
In a dangerous escalation from cross-border skirmishes, Pakistan launched air strikes at the end of February, targeting major cities including Kabul.
—Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 24 Mar. 2026
So far, most of the state-level legal skirmishes centered on Kalshi’s event contracts have involved cease-and-desist letters, seeking preliminary injunctions, and civil enforcement.
—Bloomberg Wire, Dallas Morning News, 18 Mar. 2026
The war began after several rounds of airstrikes and cross-border skirmishes, stemming from Pakistani claims that the Afghan government was harboring terrorists who used the country as a base to launch attacks against Pakistan.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 17 Mar. 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skirmishes
Noun
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When the El Paso Sector was logging more than 50,000 migrant encounters per month in late 2023, under President Joe Biden, the Big Bend Sector saw roughly 1,500.—
Lauren Villagran,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
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Sometimes the encounters are fatal, as in the cases of Renee Macklin Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis — both American citizens killed by federal agents while out observing immigration enforcement actions.—
Leila Fadel,
NPR,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Videos from the scene showed clashes and even a man with a gun in one town.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
In Dallas, clashes erupted between No Kings marchers and counter-protesters.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
29 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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Hawks prospects Anton Frondell and Sacha Boisvert are expected to debut on the team’s upcoming road trip, which starts at the New York Islanders on March 24.—
Kalen Lumpkins,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Mar. 2026
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In Saturday’s Spring Breakout game, some of the Braves’ top prospects beat a team of Yankees prospects 8-3 at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida.—
Chad Bishop,
AJC.com,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Others dropped re-election bids following redistricting fights that scrambled political maps and would have forced them to campaign in new districts.—
Benjamin Siegel,
ABC News,
29 Mar. 2026
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While still being finalized, the card features two championship fights.—
Will Weissert,
Chicago Tribune,
29 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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Hubble's images help track seasonal changes, while Webb's infrared vision probes different atmospheric layers.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
26 Mar. 2026
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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
Noun
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At the same time, groups like the nonpartisan Latino Victory Project, which focuses on developing Hispanic political leadership, said this current moment should not distract from the still-ongoing civil rights battles.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 Mar. 2026
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Understandably, some gamers may be skeptical or even alarmed, given the ethical issues and legal battles surrounding generative AI.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Skirmishes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skirmishes. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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