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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of skirmishes
Justin Davidson, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2025
Although the Hatfield-McCoy relationship has been fraught since the birth of the medium, streaming and cord-cutting has turned financial skirmishes into an existential contest.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 20 Sep. 2025
Regions of Africa and Southern Asia are embroiled in deadly and underreported skirmishes, and areas of Mexico and Haiti are torn by gang violence akin to civil war.
—Daniella Walsh, Oc Register, 18 Sep. 2025
Delhi sees Beijing as its biggest threat, particularly since some border skirmishes that began in 2020.
—Thomas Wright, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2025
Still one of the NFL’s nastiest division rivalries, the game was full of skirmishes and a near-costly unnecessary roughness penalty late in the third against the Eagles that put the Cowboys in position to take the lead.
—Dan Gelston, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
Meanwhile, Desmond Castle stands watch beyond the village park—its stone battlements and arrow slits recalling Norman skirmishes and feudal lords.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Of all the conflicts Trump has involved himself in since returning to the White House, the skirmishes over a colonial-era border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia may be the smallest.
—Matthew Tostevin, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Aug. 2025
Liam Gallagher has been barred from his traditional maracas tossing at Oasis’ reunion concerts after crowd skirmishes in pursuit of the instruments resulted in injuries.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 16 Aug. 2025
Verb
All these years later, Corigliano’s symphony has outlasted those skirmishes and emerged sounding fresh and exciting and powerful.
—Justin Davidson, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2025
Although the Hatfield-McCoy relationship has been fraught since the birth of the medium, streaming and cord-cutting has turned financial skirmishes into an existential contest.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 20 Sep. 2025
Regions of Africa and Southern Asia are embroiled in deadly and underreported skirmishes, and areas of Mexico and Haiti are torn by gang violence akin to civil war.
—Daniella Walsh, Oc Register, 18 Sep. 2025
Delhi sees Beijing as its biggest threat, particularly since some border skirmishes that began in 2020.
—Thomas Wright, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2025
Still one of the NFL’s nastiest division rivalries, the game was full of skirmishes and a near-costly unnecessary roughness penalty late in the third against the Eagles that put the Cowboys in position to take the lead.
—Dan Gelston, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
Meanwhile, Desmond Castle stands watch beyond the village park—its stone battlements and arrow slits recalling Norman skirmishes and feudal lords.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Of all the conflicts Trump has involved himself in since returning to the White House, the skirmishes over a colonial-era border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia may be the smallest.
—Matthew Tostevin, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Aug. 2025
Liam Gallagher has been barred from his traditional maracas tossing at Oasis’ reunion concerts after crowd skirmishes in pursuit of the instruments resulted in injuries.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 16 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skirmishes
Noun
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People in the Sunshine State who have threatening encounters with the animals or who see them in distress are asked to call 888-404-3922.—
Simone Jasper,
Miami Herald,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Thai staff were reportedly shocked by the industrial scale of the encounters.—
StyleCaster Editors,
StyleCaster,
23 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
In March, hundreds of people were killed during a crackdown on the Alawite sect – to which Assad belonged – in the western city of Latakia, and in April, clashes broke out between pro-government armed forces and Druze militias.—
Billy Stockwell,
CNN Money,
28 Sep. 2025
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At times, the boundaries between art and artist blurred, with Herzog and his creative partner Klaus Kinski taking their dangerous onscreen missions into violent offscreen clashes with each other, as captured in the 1999 documentary, My Best Friend.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
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
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That leaves the likes of Johnson, Zeev Buium, David Jiricek and Iowa prospects Carson Lambos, David Spacek, among others, to battle for the final lineup spot.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Burnett remembers volcanic fights between Mae and Louise, who would accuse Mae of trying to turn Burnett against her.—
Rachel Syme,
New Yorker,
29 Sep. 2025
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Including preliminary fights, the event ran for nearly six hours.—
Matt Moret,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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His new film, which probes George Orwell’s writings, is just as blistering.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
20 Sep. 2025
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Amidst sexy scenes on and off the court and hilarious banter, Spencer also probes the more vulnerable, wounded parts of her character’s hearts.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Where many of Krishna’s battles end in death for the aggressor, this story is remarkable for its mercy—Krishna spares Kaliya after the snake’s wives and children emerge from the pond to plead on his behalf.—
Seamus Sullivan
September 29,
Literary Hub,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Sheen described being at the center of seven family interventions, countless affairs, legal battles and messy divorces.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Zoolander star and Severance boss explores how Jerry Stiller and Meara as a comedy powerhouse duo managed to raise a showbiz family as the lines between their creativity and improvisation on stage and at home constantly blurred.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Sep. 2025
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In his bestselling book, Attia explores factors that contribute not only to living longer, but also living better.—
Bryant Stamford,
Louisville Courier Journal,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Skirmishes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skirmishes. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
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