noun. A minor battle in war, as one between small forces or between large forces avoiding direct conflict.

noun. A minor or preliminary conflict or dispute.

intransitive verb. To engage in a minor battle or dispute.

noun. An irregular fight, especially between small parties; an engagement, in the presence of two armies, between small detachments advanced for the purpose either of drawing on a battle or of concealing by their fire the movements of the troops in the rear.

noun. Defense.

noun. Any contention or contest; a preliminary trial of strength, etc.

noun. Synonyms Rencounter, Brush, etc. See encounter.

To fight irregularly, as in a skirmish; fight in small parties or along a skirmishline.

To defend one's self; strike out in defense or attack.

To be in a position of guarded and cautious attack; fence.

intransitive verb. To fight slightly or in small parties; to engage in a skirmish or skirmishes; to act as skirmishers.

noun. A slight fight in war; a light or desultory combat between detachments from armies, or between detached and small bodies of troops.

noun. A slight contest.

noun. A brief battle between small groups, usually part of a longer or larger battle or war.

noun. By extension, any minor dispute.

noun. A type of outdoor military style game using paintball or similar weapons.

verb. To engage in a minor battle or dispute

noun. a minor short-term fight

verb. engage in a skirmish

"This skirmish is the first which has taken place on the soil of this State."

skirmished  skirmishing  

contend  fight  struggle  

assault  bombardment  cannonade  clash  conflict  

action  aerial combat  affray  ambush  armored combat  

skirmished  skirmishes  skirmishing