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
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
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
The redistricting fight is the latest chapter in a bitter series of skirmishes between the ambitious up and coming Republican and a governor who appears to have his sights on bigger things himself.
—David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 14 Aug. 2025
There are, of course, bagpipes spouting off, clan skirmishes, muddy games and critter hunts, and kilts and scheming aplenty.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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
The redistricting fight is the latest chapter in a bitter series of skirmishes between the ambitious up and coming Republican and a governor who appears to have his sights on bigger things himself.
—David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 14 Aug. 2025
There are, of course, bagpipes spouting off, clan skirmishes, muddy games and critter hunts, and kilts and scheming aplenty.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skirmishes
Noun
-
Meanwhile, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson issued an executive order and cities like Los Angeles are drafting their own ordinances to protect constituents after reports of disturbing encounters with masked agents or those who refuse to identify themselves.—
Devan Patel,
Mercury News,
10 Sep. 2025
-
In most of the romance fraud cases the NCL encounters, the crimes are being perpetrated from overseas.—
Christine Ro,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Thailand has been in political turmoil since, ever since deadly border clashes with Cambodian forces.—
Matthew Martin,
semafor.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Meanwhile, his mercurial style and public controversies, from social media firestorms to clashes with regulators, have brought volatility to Tesla’s stock and reputation.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
But Republicans’ long-running internal fights over how to handle health insurance coverage are far from settled, and party leaders are not eager to take a firm stance.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Trump has attended several other high-profile sporting events in 2025, including Super Bowl LIX, the Daytona 500, and multiple UFC fights.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
Russia, too, regularly probes America’s northern flank.—
Tom Vanden Brook,
USA Today,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
As a smart two-way player who can win board battles and create offense off the rush, Celebrini’s game translated extremely favorably to the pro ranks.—
Chris Johnston,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Launched in 2003, this sci-fi MMORPG has played host to epic spaceship battles and intergalactic heists on a scale that most other multiplayer games can only dream of.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
My work explores the contradictions shaping women's lives in Italian society, focusing on how gender norms intersect with personal and collective acts of agency.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
5 Sep. 2025
-
The movie explores a gentle legend whose father’s premature death gave him his own ticking clock and gives new context to some of Candy’s most memorable screen moments, showing how the man and his characters often melded in magical ways.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Skirmishes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skirmishes. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share