skirmish

1 of 2

noun

skir·mish ˈskər-mish

Synonyms of skirmish

: a minor fight in war usually incidental to larger movements

: a brisk preliminary verbal conflict

: a minor dispute or contest between opposing parties

the debate touched off a skirmish

skirmish

2 of 2

verb

skirmished; skirmishing; skirmishes

intransitive verb

: to engage in a skirmish

: to search about (as for supplies) : scout around

skirmisher noun

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

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

The controversy is at once new and familiar, reflecting both the dramatic changes that the proliferation of AI has wrought on book publishing and echoing other skirmishes this year in which authors have been accused of using AI. — Cameron Pugh, Christian Science Monitor, 12 Aug. 2026 Elsewhere, Kyle Williams went deep again, a starting edge rusher finally popped and a small skirmish broke out on the Patriots sideline. — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 11 Aug. 2026

Verb

Since then, various reports of Ukrainian troops skirmishing with North Korean counterparts have emerged. — CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026 The profile of today’s stage was custom-designed for a large breakaway, and after plenty of skirmishing on the category one Côte d’Engins, eventually a 14-rider front group achieved some separation. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 23 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for skirmish

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English skyrmissh, alteration (influenced by Anglo-French eskermir to fence (with swords), protect, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German scirmen to protect, scirm shield) of skarmuch, from Anglo-French escarmuche, from Old Italian scaramuccia — more at screen

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of skirmish was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Browse Nearby Words

skirl

skirmish

skirmisher

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Skirmish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skirmish. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

skirmish

1 of 2 noun

skir·mish ˈskər-mish

: a minor fight between small bodies of troops

: a minor dispute or contest

skirmish

2 of 2 verb

: to engage in a skirmish

: to search about (as for supplies)

skirmisher noun

skirmish

noun

verb

Synonyms of skirmish

Examples of skirmish in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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