dustup

noun

ˈdəst-ˌəp 
Definition of dustup
as in skirmish
a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups he came home with a black eye from the dustup at the bar

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dustup In February, fans watched a dustup between the Detroit Pistons and the Charlotte Hornets. — Shakeia Taylor, New York Times, 29 May 2026 Bart Jansen The latest dustup between the United States and Iran is over the names of bodies of water. — Bart Jansen, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026 But even then that dustup lacks a satisfying catfight spark. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 29 Apr. 2026 Hometown's owner, Rodney Ballance, dropped out of a state House of Representatives race after the dustup. — Arkansas Online, 28 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dustup
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dustup
  1. skirmish
  2. clash
  3. battle
  4. fight
Noun
  • There were certainly more skirmishes between the Eagles offense and Patriots defense.
    — Zach Berman, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Players from the Cowboys and the Saints threw punches during several skirmishes throughout the joint practice, which was conducted in uncommonly hot, humid weather in the coastal town.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of skirmish
Noun
  • Professional dancer Giovanni Pernice has vented his fury at the BBC over its handling of his Strictly Come Dancing exit following a clash with Sherlock star Amanda Abbington.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Police special forces responded with flash grenades during the clashes, which officials said lasted until the early hours of Sunday.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of clash
Noun
  • The twin springs that gave the Revolutionary War battle its name are no more, inundated by the 1940s project that flooded the Santee River basin for hydroelectric power and flood control.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Outrageousness seems to be the point of these battles, which have no apparent criteria, judges, or rules.
    — Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of battle
Noun
  • Delphine Boël, 58, eventually won her legal fight and was granted the title of princess.
    — Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Lopez has already expressed his ambition to face the winner of the Ryan Garcia and Conor Benn fight next, aiming for an undisputed 147-pound title.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of fight

Browse Nearby Words

dusts
dustup
dustups
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dustup.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dustup. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 28

Why do we say 'break a leg'?
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All