Skirmishing

usgb/ˈskɜːrmɪʃɪŋ/
noun

Minor fight or argument.

There was intense skirmishing between the two political parties.
Visual representation of "skirmishing" - Minor fight or argument

Often appears as...

  • political skirmishing
  • intense skirmishing
Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "skirmishing"
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Conflict Scale

Skirmishing refers to smaller conflicts, less serious than all-out battles.

Illustration for Conflict Scale
Despite the initial skirmishing, both sides avoided escalating the conflict.
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Metaphorical Use

It can be used metaphorically for any small-scale, brief dispute, not actual fighting.

Illustration for Metaphorical Use
The debate started with some light skirmishing on tax policy.
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Not Physical

'Skirmishing' doesn't always imply physical confrontations; it can be verbal or ideological.

Illustration for Not Physical
The panel discussion featured a lot of skirmishing but no consensus.
Visual representation of the word "Skirmishing"

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