1. engaged in a brief fight or encounter between small groups of troops
Usage: military
2. had a minor argument or disagreement

Examples

• The two armies skirmished along the border for several days.
• Scouts from both sides skirmished in the forest before the main battle.
• The neighbors skirmished over the property line for months.
• Political opponents skirmished during the heated debate.
• The advance units skirmished with enemy patrols throughout the night.
• The siblings skirmished over who would get the last piece of cake.