as in skirmish
a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups
he came home with a black eye from the dustup at the bar
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Recent Examples of dustup
Slight dustup McVay and Saints linebacker Demario Davis exchanged words after the coach took exception to running back Kyren Williams being tackled to the ground in a practice that was agreed to be wrap-up instead of full contact.
—
Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 14 Aug. 2025
He and Raiders coach Pete Carroll intervened to keep a couple of dustups from turning into fights, including on special teams.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2025
Brooks and Dodson had to be separated by teammates, but after the dustup happened the team and linebackers carried on like nothing had taken place the rest of the practice.
—Miami Herald, 11 Aug. 2025
OpenAI quickly reversed course, but the dustup underscores the perils of releasing new models as AI becomes more intertwined with people’s lives.
—Sarah Whitmire, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dustup
Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 14 Aug. 2025
He and Raiders coach Pete Carroll intervened to keep a couple of dustups from turning into fights, including on special teams.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2025
Brooks and Dodson had to be separated by teammates, but after the dustup happened the team and linebackers carried on like nothing had taken place the rest of the practice.
—Miami Herald, 11 Aug. 2025
OpenAI quickly reversed course, but the dustup underscores the perils of releasing new models as AI becomes more intertwined with people’s lives.
—Sarah Whitmire, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dustup
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dustup
Noun
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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
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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
Noun
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Those clashes became viral videos that cemented his reputation as a culture warrior.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
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On November 25, the La Liga holders travel to Stamford Bridge for a mouthwatering clash with the reigning Club World Cup kings.—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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When a person is gravely ill, they’re often forced to fight two battles, one against their sickness and the other against the insurance company.—
Duaa Eldeib,
ProPublica,
10 Sep. 2025
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Looking back at Charlotte’s recent FCS opponents, dating back to 2021, the 49ers haven’t won the turnover battle in any of the four matchups, resulting in uncomfortably close games and even a lopsided loss to William & Mary in 2022.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Sinner eventually came through in a display of fight and quality in adversity, and now has a day’s rest to manage the problem.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
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Classes were offered on serving in-fight refreshments and putting on make-up.—
Vinod Sreeharsha,
Miami Herald,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dustup.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dustup. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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