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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of skirmishes
Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
Amid the skirmishes that ensued, federal agents fired a chemical agent toward a protester at near-point-blank range, and security personnel later opened fire on a U-Haul truck that had backed up toward a barrier on the island’s bridge, injuring the driver and an apparent bystander.
—Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 26 Oct. 2025
Activists literally or figuratively flying the antifa flag have long been among the subset of people who go to protests to destroy property and get into violent skirmishes with far-right protestors (like the Proud Boys).
—Sal Rodriguez, Oc Register, 13 Oct. 2025
Law enforcement officers have deployed tear gas and pepper balls in skirmishes with protesters.
—Natasha Korecki, NBC news, 13 Oct. 2025
These issues are not unique to the WNBA, as its affiliate league, the NBA, has weathered refereeing controversies and skirmishes over player pay for years.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
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
Delhi sees Beijing as its biggest threat, particularly since some border skirmishes that began in 2020.
—Thomas Wright, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2025
Noun
David Wolf, the executive director of the Legacy of the Plains Museum in Scottsbluff, said experts estimate that as many 10 people died for every mile of the trail ‒ perhaps as many as 20,000 travelers, plus an unknown number of Native Americans killed during skirmishes.
—Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
Amid the skirmishes that ensued, federal agents fired a chemical agent toward a protester at near-point-blank range, and security personnel later opened fire on a U-Haul truck that had backed up toward a barrier on the island’s bridge, injuring the driver and an apparent bystander.
—Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 26 Oct. 2025
Activists literally or figuratively flying the antifa flag have long been among the subset of people who go to protests to destroy property and get into violent skirmishes with far-right protestors (like the Proud Boys).
—Sal Rodriguez, Oc Register, 13 Oct. 2025
Law enforcement officers have deployed tear gas and pepper balls in skirmishes with protesters.
—Natasha Korecki, NBC news, 13 Oct. 2025
These issues are not unique to the WNBA, as its affiliate league, the NBA, has weathered refereeing controversies and skirmishes over player pay for years.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
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
Delhi sees Beijing as its biggest threat, particularly since some border skirmishes that began in 2020.
—Thomas Wright, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skirmishes
Noun
-
The effect of climate change on traditional bear food sources, a steep population decline in rural areas, and the decreasing number of hunters have been cited as factors driving the rise in bear encounters.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
-
From inspiring conservation efforts to incredible animal encounters, our wildlife stories bring you closer to the creatures that make our planet extraordinary.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Since Assad’s ousting, Syria has seen flare-ups of deadly sectarian violence, with clashes erupting between security forces and those loyal to the former president, including in Syria’s coastal Latakia region in March.—
Sophie Tanno,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
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As for South Sudan, a senior United Nations official said earlier this week that the ongoing conflict in Sudan is causing destabilization in South Sudan, including armed clashes and food insecurity.—
Dan Gooding,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Zack Wheeler is also facing some uncertainty coming off thoracic outlet surgery and approaching his 36th birthday, but prospects Andrew Painter, Justin Crawford and Aidan Miller are knocking on the door.—
Stephen J. Nesbitt,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
-
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
Noun
-
The Democratic crackup that’s now underway in Washington is distracting the party from a series of brutal fights just ahead that will culminate in next year’s midterms.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Martin's fights, namely her 1996 match against Deirdre Gogarty, brought women's boxing to a whole new audience.—
Ralphie Aversa,
USA Today,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
To mark the occasion, Crumbl is also releasing limited-edition Martha Stewart boxes for its six-pack orders — perfect for gifting or adding a touch of elegance to any gathering.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
3 Nov. 2025
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This all played out just after the museum had opened, with bystanders able to video one suspect in a high-visibility vest standing at one of the glass boxes housing historical treasures.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Through intimate interviews with players, coaches, parents, journalists and opponents, director Kevin Shaw probes media bias, racial stereotypes, community pride and the ethical complexities of youth sports—showing how a moment meant to celebrate young athletes became a lasting stigma.—
Christian Blauvelt,
IndieWire,
24 Oct. 2025
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Beijing probes Mexican tariffs on Chinese imports Beijing launched a sweeping investigation into Mexico’s tariffs on Chinese imports, highlighting the widening fallout of Washington’s trade wars.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
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At the same time, food aid was delayed for tens of millions of people as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits were caught up in legal battles related to the shutdown.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
10 Nov. 2025
-
River Raisin National Battlefield Park in Monroe honors the history of the January 1813 battles of the War of 1812 and their aftermath.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Other projects announced at the launch event today include Gangster Priest, a black comedy about a gangster who has trouble leaving behind his life of crime; and horror film Hopscotch, which explores how family trauma is replicated through new generations.—
Liz Shackleton,
Deadline,
7 Nov. 2025
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Across eight episodes, the series explores how love can twist into possession and how far a parent will go to protect their child.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Skirmishes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skirmishes. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
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