skirmish

US /ˈskɝː.mɪʃ/

UK /ˈskɝː.mɪʃ/

1.

a short, unplanned fight or argument

:

•

A small skirmish broke out between the two groups.

•

The debate turned into a verbal skirmish.

:

clash conflict encounter fracas brawl

1.

to engage in a short, unplanned fight or argument

:

•

The soldiers skirmished with the enemy at the border.

•

They often skirmish over minor disagreements.

:

clash fight argue contend