The difference between Encounter and Skirmish
When used as nouns, encounter means an unplanned or unexpected meeting, whereas skirmish means a brief battle between small groups, usually part of a longer or larger battle or war.
When used as verbs, encounter means to meet (someone) or find (something) unexpectedly, whereas skirmish means to engage in a minor battle or dispute.
check bellow for the other definitions of Encounter and Skirmish
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Encounter as a verb (transitive):
To meet (someone) or find (something) unexpectedly.
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Encounter as a verb (transitive):
To confront (someone or something) face to face.
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Encounter as a verb (ambitransitive):
To engage in conflict, as with an enemy.
Examples:
"Three armies encountered at Waterloo."
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Encounter as a noun:
An unplanned or unexpected meeting.
Examples:
"Their encounter was a matter of chance."
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Encounter as a noun:
A hostile meeting; a confrontation or skirmish.
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Encounter as a noun:
A sudden, often violent clash, as between combatants.
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Encounter as a noun (sports):
A match between two opposing sides.
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Skirmish as a noun (military):
A brief battle between small groups, usually part of a longer or larger battle or war.
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Skirmish as a noun (figuratively, by extension):
Any minor dispute.
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Skirmish as a noun:
A type of outdoor military style game using paintball or similar weapons.
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Skirmish as a verb:
To engage in a minor battle or dispute