skirmish

1 of 2

noun

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

skirmish

2 of 2

verb

skirmished; skirmishing; skirmishes

intransitive verb

1

: to engage in a skirmish

2

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

skirmisher noun

Synonyms

Noun

• brush
• encounter
• hassle
• run-in
• scrape

Verb

• battle
• clash (with)
• combat
• fight
• scrimmage (with)
• war (against)

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

Noun

The clashes are a sign of growing tensions at the Lebanon-Syria border, northeast of the Beqaa valley, where predominantly Shiite Lebanese villages have seen skirmishes with Syrian soldiers in recent weeks. —Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN, 17 Mar. 2025

After his skirmish with Diarra, Neal waved his arms to fire up Creighton fans in the sellout crowd. —Ryan Morik, Fox News, 15 Mar. 2025

Verb

Watching the map provides all the information about where combatants are moving, what skirmishes they’re engaged in, and where points of convergence may arise. —Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 22 Feb. 2025

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

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

Kids 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 verb

1

: to engage in a skirmish

2

: to search about (as for supplies)

skirmisher noun