SKIRMISHES Synonyms: 141 Similar and Opposite Words

skirmishes 1 of 2

noun

plural of skirmish

as in encounters

a brief clash between enemies or rivals the candidates' first debate was only a skirmish in a very long campaign

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

truces

skirmishes

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of skirmish

as in brawls

Related Words

as in prospects

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Dissimilar Words

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

Noun

Johnson brushes off the skirmishes, broadly speaking, as part of the governing process. — Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 30 June 2026 While the war ended years before, the hostility spread from the stands — with skirmishes among supporters — into the field, when Maradona tricked the referee and the world with the World Cup’s most infamous goal, punching the ball into the net with his fist above England’s goalie Peter Shilton. — Gabriel Sama, Mercury News, 21 June 2026 Continue reading … — Two arrested as skirmishes erupt outside courthouse after Karmelo Anthony verdict. — FOXNews.com, 12 June 2026 One of those skirmishes, in fact, involved Childress himself, in 2011 at Kansas Speedway, when the then-65-year-old car owner for an opposing team got into a physical altercation with Busch after an on-track incident. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 6 June 2026 Inconspicuous blows against Denver escalated to skirmishes. — Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 31 May 2026 Thankfully, none of these skirmishes affects the guests’ satisfaction with the trip. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 26 May 2026 Tempers flared between the teams, leading to a couple of skirmishes. — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 18 May 2026 Here are some photos from the second of three skirmishes in this always entertaining Show Me State clash. — Jeff Rosen, Kansas City Star, 16 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for skirmishes

Noun

The idea was for Carrol to become an eyewitness to the sheriff’s encounters with others in the office, to foil potential future allegations of improper conduct, Carrol testified.

— Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 July 2026
Matthews works for Florida Shark Diving, one of several shark charter companies in southeast Florida that promise up-close encounters with some of the state’s apex predators.

— Kairi Lowery, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026

Definition of encounters

Noun

Several immigration enforcement operations in the US over the last year have resulted in fatalities –– with initial descriptions from authorities of clashes between agents and suspects later contradicted by video evidence.

— Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 8 July 2026
In 2017, al-Assir was convicted and sentenced to death for his role in the 2013 clashes that killed 18 soldiers, following a trial that lasted two years.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 July 2026

Definition of clashes

Verb

Winger prospects Liam Greentree, Brody Lamb, Nathan Aspinall and Jacob Battaglia are all set to turn pro this season.

— Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 28 June 2026
The Dolphins doubled down on Red Raiders prospects after, earlier Friday, choosing Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez with their lone second-round pick.

— David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026

Definition of prospects

Noun

Advocates viewed Cal/OSHA’S recognition of the detainees as workers as a victory that could pave the way for future labor rights fights at other detention centers in the state.

— Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
Losing title fights to Charles Oliveira (symbolic BMF belt), Ilia Topuria (featherweight), and Alex Volkanovski (featherweight).

— Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Definition of fights

Verb

Brlan said the planter boxes along with artificial turf, plants and soil supplied by Uplift Property Management were a huge addition to the new garden.

— Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 May 2026
The cardboard boxes the food is packaged in are also being resold online, with one user selling them for $15 each.

— Julia Gomez, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026

Definition of boxes

Verb

Kim, already sentenced to four years in a separate bribery and stock-manipulation case, faces prosecution alongside ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol as South Korea probes his martial law rule and political allies.

— Kim Tong-Hyung, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
In Spain, an investigative judge probes suspicions of a crime and can recommend a case go to trial if there is sufficient evidence.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 June 2026

Definition of probes

Noun

On Friday, Putin visited the Russian military headquarters directing the action in Ukraine to receive a report on the capture of the city of Kostyantynivka after weeks of intense street battles.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026
Legal battles can discourage farmers Mora said the years-long litigation has left him feeling frustrated and defenseless.

— Claire Rush, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026