dustup

noun

ˈdəst-ˌəp How to pronounce dustup (audio)
Definition of dustupnext
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

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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
  • This leads to even more behind-the-scenes skirmishes laced with character-centric comedy, as opposing factions align.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Ties between the two countries remain strained over their long-running Himalayan border dispute, which erupted into a deadly skirmishes in 2020 that saw soldiers from both sides use rocks and iron rods in brutal hand-to-hand combat.
    — Helen Regan, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of skirmish
Noun
  • By Saturday, demonstrations over rising living costs, school conditions and declining public services had escalated into clashes with police, fires, looting and attacks on public buildings in several cities.
    — Bradford Betz, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The decades-old rivalry has favored United in the last seven meetings at Elland Road, but Leeds head into Sunday's clash in strong form, with two wins and three draws placing them 7th on the table.
    — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of clash
Noun
  • Still, when the measles outbreak erupted, Bangladesh responded swiftly and initially seemed to be winning the battle.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Policy Policy Your guide to the Supreme Court, federal courts, judicial nominations, and the legal battles shaping American policy.
    — Washington Examiner, The Washington Examiner, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of battle
Noun
  • Russia's heavy bombardment of the power grid ahead of winter has been an annual feature of the war, aimed at wearing down Ukraine's appetite for the fight by denying civilians heat and running water.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Russia’s heavy bombardment of the power grid ahead of winter has been an annual feature of the war, aimed at wearing down Ukraine’s appetite for the fight by denying civilians heat and running water.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of fight

Browse Nearby Words

dusts
dustup
dustups
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Cite this Entry

“Dustup.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dustup. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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