Pitched battles are intense, direct confrontations between opposing armies or groups. Synonyms for such a phrase may include "engagements," "encounters," "clashes," "battles," "conflicts," or "skirmishes." Each of these words implies a level of combat, but varying degrees of intensity or scale. For instance, "clashes" may describe a more minor confrontation, whereas "engagements" suggests a more involved event. "Skirmishes" are smaller-scale battles, whereas "conflicts" could refer to anything from small-scale confrontations to full-scale wars. Regardless of the synonym selected, each implies a degree of violence or confrontation between forces, making these phrases powerful and potent descriptors of wartime engagement.