What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
skirmished
Example
The two armies skirmished briefly before retreating. [skirmished: past tense]
Example
The political parties skirmished over the proposed legislation. [skirmished: verb]
fought
Example
The soldiers fought bravely against the enemy. [fought: past tense]
Example
She fought against discrimination and inequality. [fought: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fought is a more common word than skirmished and is used in a wider range of contexts, including both formal and informal situations. Skirmished is less common and is typically used in specific contexts, such as military or historical discussions.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between skirmished and fought?
Fought is generally considered more formal than skirmished, which is often used in informal or casual settings. However, both words can be used in various levels of formality depending on the context.