skir·mish
ˈskər-mish 
1
: a minor fight in war usually incidental to larger movements
2
a
: a brisk preliminary verbal conflict
b
: a minor dispute or contest between opposing parties
the debate touched off a skirmish
skirmished; skirmishing; skirmishes
skirmisher
noun
Synonyms
Examples of skirmish in a Sentence
Noun
Skirmishes broke out between rebel groups.
Violent skirmishes with the enemy continue despite talks of peace.
Verb
Rebel groups are skirmishing with military forces.
The presidential candidates skirmished over their economic plans.
Recent Examples on the Web
Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 28 Oct. 2024
The commission must now fight a separate legal battle in a bid to enforce the fine — one of many skirmishes pitting the Australian government against tech mogul Musk.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune Asia, 4 Oct. 2024
Max Thornberry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 3 July 2024
Regional war remains a possibility as the Jewish state and Hezbollah continue to skirmish.
—Lloyd Green, New York Daily News, 27 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for skirmish 
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Noun
The United States has consistently urged caution and restraint on both sides of the conflict, warning that the continuation of the skirmishes could unintentionally erupt into a broad regional war.
—Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 28 Oct. 2024
The commission must now fight a separate legal battle in a bid to enforce the fine — one of many skirmishes pitting the Australian government against tech mogul Musk.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune Asia, 4 Oct. 2024
Verb
Interim skirmishes that attempt to hold up finalizing the results of minor elections are sending Democrats into a panic.
—Max Thornberry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 3 July 2024
Regional war remains a possibility as the Jewish state and Hezbollah continue to skirmish.
—Lloyd Green, New York Daily News, 27 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for skirmish
Dictionary Entries Near skirmish
Cite this Entry
“Skirmish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skirmish. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
skirmish
1 of 2 noun
skir·mish
ˈskər-mish
1
: a minor fight between small bodies of troops
2
: a minor dispute or contest
skirmish
2 of 2 verb1
: to engage in a skirmish
2
: to search about (as for supplies)
skirmisher
noun
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