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

Its outcome will be a major milestone in the decades-long political skirmishes over CEQA. — Dan Walters, Oc Register, 26 Aug. 2026 In 1988, for instance, Khomeini finally agreed to end his war with Iraq after the United States began engaging Iranian naval ships in direct skirmishes, leading him to fear that Reagan might formally align with Saddam Hussein’s regime. — Nate Swanson, Foreign Affairs, 25 Aug. 2026 There were certainly more skirmishes between the Eagles offense and Patriots defense. — Zach Berman, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026 Players from the Cowboys and the Saints threw punches during several skirmishes throughout the joint practice, which was conducted in uncommonly hot, humid weather in the coastal town. — ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026 Multiple skirmishes broke out across 11-on-11 drills as the Giants’ pass rush dominated, though Miami found success in the ground game and saw strong individual performances from rookie tight end Will Kacmarek and edge rusher Chop Robinson. — Amy Beth Bennett, Sun Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2026 But what stuck out more than the Giants’ toughness in those skirmishes was their football stamina. — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2026 The Jaguars and Panthers had a joint practice on Wednesday that included multiple skirmishes. — Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 Aug. 2026 The Cowboys and Saints skirmishes were mostly between the Dallas defense and the New Orleans offense, for example, outside linebacker Donovan Ezeiruaku getting into it with offensive tackle Erik McCoy. — Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for skirmishes

Noun

The days spent with the other witnesses as well as the encounters and testimonies shed light on events that had remained unresolved for decades.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 31 Aug. 2026
Even Velvet, after seven or eight encounters and a viral video, barely knows him.

— Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of encounters

Noun

Assertive Mars clashes with your ruler Saturn, highlighting tension around your home, family, or the amount of emotional labor each person carries.

— Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 1 Sep. 2026
He had been expected to leave by the end of the year, but clashes with Hegseth on things like the ouster of top Army officers played a role in his decision to depart, a source familiar with the dynamic told Semafor.

— Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of clashes

Verb

Bringing in a new centre-back would mean Cancelo and Martin could be the first-team left-backs, supported by La Masia prospects Xavi Espart, 19, and Jordi Pesquer, 17.

— Andy Naylor, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Included in the roster of G League and international talent are former Heat players Orlando Robinson and Cole Swider, as well as former Heat camp prospects DeJon Jareau and James Nunnally.

— Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of prospects

Verb

Pack in a picnic lunch from Ventura’s Harbor Cove Cafe, which boxes up sandwiches and snacks for visitors to the Channel Islands.

— Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 27 Aug. 2026
Sometimes the pursuit of a cleaner interface boxes you into one that will not grow with the feature pathways that emerge.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of boxes

Verb

In Sarah Pekkanen’s new thriller, The Women in White, a young health-care aide probes how four female participants in a 1964 parapsychology experiment suddenly vanished.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 20 Aug. 2026
The victory comes as Parliament’s standards watchdog probes Farage’s undeclared multimillion-dollar crypto donation and his finances with controversial ally George Cottrell, scrutiny that could yet force him from office.

— Brian Melley, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of probes

Noun

The policy updates come amid the slew of ongoing legal battles by players who were originally part of the 2022 high school recruiting class seeking a fifth year of collegiate eligibility.

— Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
Then came battles with the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Social Security Administration and the Internal Revenue Service.

— Sam Gringlas, NPR, 27 Aug. 2026