clashed; clashing; clashes
1
: to make a clash
cymbals clashed
2
: to come into conflict
where ignorant armies clash by night—
Matthew Arnold
Matthew Arnold
also
: to be incompatible
the colors clashed
: to cause to clash
clasher
noun
1
: a noisy usually metallic sound of collision
2
a
: a hostile encounter : skirmish
b
: a sharp conflict
a clash of opinions
Examples of clash in a Sentence
Verb
Police and protesters clashed yesterday.
The sofa and the chair clash.
She ended the song by clashing the cymbals.
Noun
Hundreds were killed in ethnic clashes in the region last month.
a clash between rival gangs that resulted in some serious injuries
Recent Examples on the Web
Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
There is no other objective left for the Kings than to bring the series back to Los Angeles and play in their first Game 7 since the first time these teams clashed in this four-year run that has wound up one-sided.
—Eric Stephens, New York Times, 1 May 2025
Staff Author, People.com, 1 May 2025
India has been a nuclear power for over 50 years, possessing an arsenal that is publicly clandestine but capable in warfare—notably against its neighboring country, Pakistan, amid their decades-long clash over Kashmir.
—Nick Mordowanec
john Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clash
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
Earlier this month, the administration began targeting the nonprofit status of Harvard University, which could be a prelude to a broader effort to eliminate the tax-exempt status for other nonprofit organizations that the administration has clashed with.
—Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
There is no other objective left for the Kings than to bring the series back to Los Angeles and play in their first Game 7 since the first time these teams clashed in this four-year run that has wound up one-sided.
—Eric Stephens, New York Times, 1 May 2025
Noun
The following day, however, Mercury will meet Mars in a stubborn square, triggering a clash between the need for practicality and discernment versus the desire to express oneself boldly and with pride.
—Staff Author, People.com, 1 May 2025
India has been a nuclear power for over 50 years, possessing an arsenal that is publicly clandestine but capable in warfare—notably against its neighboring country, Pakistan, amid their decades-long clash over Kashmir.
—Nick Mordowanec
john Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clash
Cite this Entry
“Clash.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clash. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
clash
1 of 2 verb1
: to make a clash
clashing cymbals
2
a
: to come into conflict
pickets clashed with the police
b
: to not match well
our ideas clashed
some colors clash
clasher
noun
clash
2 of 2 noun1
: a loud sharp sound usually of metal striking metal
the clash of swords
2
: a sharp fight or strong disagreement
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