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
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
Ideological skirmishes over the motives and obligations of Carpenter’s music include both sincere interrogation of its feminism and smirking counteractive reprisals to that scrutiny.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 3 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
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
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
Ideological skirmishes over the motives and obligations of Carpenter’s music include both sincere interrogation of its feminism and smirking counteractive reprisals to that scrutiny.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 3 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
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
-
The royal family are responsible for the seating arrangements at the state dinner and appear to have tactfully seated the media mogul far away from the president to avoid any awkward encounters.—
Amanda Castro
Hannah Parry
Shane Croucher
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
-
In the complaint, obtained by the Idaho Statesman, IFPC states that during the 2024-25 school year, the family’s student had two encounters with a transgender student in the women’s restroom.—
Shannon Tyler,
Idaho Statesman,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
At least 22 police officers were injured during the clashes, a spokesperson for Spain’s National Police told CNN.—
Pau Mosquera,
CNN Money,
14 Sep. 2025
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Shots fired in San Bernardino, spike strips in Van Nuys, and clashes in Santa Ana highlight a rise in confrontations between immigration agents and civilians — a trend experts warn is intensifying across Southern California.—
Sydney Barragan,
Oc Register,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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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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Whereas large investors once uniformly supported settlements to avoid costly fights, some now argue that quick capitulations undermine shareholder democracy and give too much power to activists.—
Kai Liekefett,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
The 6-foot-6 defenseman decisively won his fights.—
Eric Stephens,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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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
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Russia, too, regularly probes America’s northern flank.—
Tom Vanden Brook,
USA Today,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The musical battles in K-Popped did require them to compete against each other.—
Joan MacDonald,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Years of lobbying and court battles by the LGBTQ community have achieved a few successes over the past decade.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Through audiovisual installations and immersive curation, the show explores why Marie Antoinette has remained a constant source of ideas.—
Laia Farran Graves,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
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The play explores faith and the mysteries of existence as two friends, Vladimir and Estragon, wait for Godot, who may never show up.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
19 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Skirmishes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skirmishes. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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