skirmish
noun
a fight between small bodies of troops, especially advanced or outlying detachments of opposing armies.
skirmishing
-
present participleof skirmish.present participle
A verb form that is used in progressive verb constructions and may also function as a modifier or a gerund.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
I held my breath as the car worked its way out of the shopping center parking lot, briefly skirmishing with incoming traffic at a poorly marked four-way stop.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 22, 2026
Amid the legal skirmishing, news of the indictment was a relief to the victim jewelers, at least eight of whom are based in L.A.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2025
The Iran-backed organization has been skirmishing with Israeli forces.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 17, 2023
Black does well in the early skirmishing in this Four Knights Game, but fails to respond adequately when Kupchik opens up the play in the center.
From Washington Times ● Jul. 11, 2023
—Fortune Kether: an artist—renowned publicly for his frescoes and privately for the catapults and siege engines he designed for skirmishing kings.
From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor
