SKIRMISHES Synonyms: 141 Similar and Opposite Words

skirmishes 1 of 2

noun

plural of skirmish

as in encounters

a brief clash between enemies or rivals the candidates' first debate was only a skirmish in a very long campaign

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

truces

skirmishes

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of skirmish

as in brawls

Related Words

as in prospects

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of skirmishes

Noun

Oil prices jumped 6% on the news, following a violent weekend of skirmishes in the Persian Gulf as both sides attempted to assert control over the strait. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 13 July 2026 Negotiations have yet to produce a major breakthrough as skirmishes over the Strait continued this week. — Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026 The skirmishes date back to shortly after Haaland’s arrival at Manchester City in July 2022. — Jack Lang, New York Times, 5 July 2026 Johnson brushes off the skirmishes, broadly speaking, as part of the governing process. — Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 30 June 2026 While the war ended years before, the hostility spread from the stands — with skirmishes among supporters — into the field, when Maradona tricked the referee and the world with the World Cup’s most infamous goal, punching the ball into the net with his fist above England’s goalie Peter Shilton. — Gabriel Sama, Mercury News, 21 June 2026 Continue reading … — Two arrested as skirmishes erupt outside courthouse after Karmelo Anthony verdict. — FOXNews.com, 12 June 2026 One of those skirmishes, in fact, involved Childress himself, in 2011 at Kansas Speedway, when the then-65-year-old car owner for an opposing team got into a physical altercation with Busch after an on-track incident. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 6 June 2026 Thankfully, none of these skirmishes affects the guests’ satisfaction with the trip. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 26 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for skirmishes

Noun

Viewers who follow the company’s commercials are likely to have new encounters with the LiMu Emu – and Doug.

— Brian Steinberg, Variety, 20 July 2026
Local police routinely receive extensive instruction in traffic stops, neighborhood patrol, crisis intervention, de-escalation, and managing unpredictable encounters with the public.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 19 July 2026

Definition of encounters

Noun

The border confrontation continued for 73 days, with occasional clashes that left soldiers on both sides injured.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 July 2026
Delhi Police said that around 180 people were injured amid the Monday clashes, including 118 security personnel and 60 protesters.

— Connor Greene, Time, 22 July 2026

Definition of clashes

Verb

Winger prospects Liam Greentree, Brody Lamb, Nathan Aspinall and Jacob Battaglia are all set to turn pro this season.

— Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 28 June 2026
The Dolphins doubled down on Red Raiders prospects after, earlier Friday, choosing Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez with their lone second-round pick.

— David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026

Definition of prospects

Noun

Both Roach, coming off three consecutive draws in title fights, and Zepeda, looking to bounce back from a loss, desperately need a decisive win.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
That divide has become more pronounced as national politics seep into local education fights.

— Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 21 July 2026

Definition of fights

Verb

Brlan said the planter boxes along with artificial turf, plants and soil supplied by Uplift Property Management were a huge addition to the new garden.

— Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 May 2026
The cardboard boxes the food is packaged in are also being resold online, with one user selling them for $15 each.

— Julia Gomez, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026

Definition of boxes

Verb

Looking for Loftus’ motivations, Aviv probes the psychologist’s memories of her mentally ill mother’s probable suicide and her own childhood abuse by a babysitter.

— Julia M. Klein, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
Advertisement The Children, Melissa Albert YA author Melissa Albert’s adult fiction debut probes the legacy of a long dead bestselling fantasy author who left behind many dark secrets.

— Hamilton Cain, Time, 7 July 2026