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
Fox News, 26 Jan. 2025
North Carolina politics: A skirmish has erupted over a state Supreme Court race in the Tar Heel State more than two months after Democrats narrowly clinched the seat.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 22 Jan. 2025
Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
Protesters and police skirmished in Georgia’s capital for a fourth straight night on Dec. 1, with signs that opposition was spreading across the country to the government’s decision to suspend talks on joining the European Union.
—Felix Light, The Christian Science Monitor, 2 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for skirmish 
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.
Noun
He’s been seen in multiple skirmishes with Tampa Bay Buccaneers star Mike Evans as the two players competed during NFC South rivalry games when the cornerback was on the Saints.
—Fox News, 26 Jan. 2025
North Carolina politics: A skirmish has erupted over a state Supreme Court race in the Tar Heel State more than two months after Democrats narrowly clinched the seat.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 22 Jan. 2025
Verb
The defense consultant Serge Willoughby plays a prank on his host at a Georgetown party that completely backfires to the point that not only is the host arrested but also skirmishing between the United States and China begins and World War III looms.
—Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
Protesters and police skirmished in Georgia’s capital for a fourth straight night on Dec. 1, with signs that opposition was spreading across the country to the government’s decision to suspend talks on joining the European Union.
—Felix Light, The Christian Science Monitor, 2 Dec. 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 8 Feb. 2025.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share