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
Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025
Since then, Angel has been clashing with Slingshot, the production company behind David, over its rights as the film’s distributor.
—Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 26 Mar. 2025
Nicole Nixon, Sacbee.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Dudek was promoted when his predecessor resigned, in mid-February, following clashes with DOGE staffers who were attempting to access information about Social Security recipients.
—John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clash
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Verb
Although the IndyCar race starts 90 minutes after the Bristol race, the events will likely clash.
—Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025
Since then, Angel has been clashing with Slingshot, the production company behind David, over its rights as the film’s distributor.
—Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 26 Mar. 2025
Noun
The order’s provision to outlaw post-Election Day ballot tabulation sets up a clash between Trump and California.
County officials are given nearly a month to process ballots and millions of ballots in the state are counted in the days and weeks after an election.
—Nicole Nixon, Sacbee.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Dudek was promoted when his predecessor resigned, in mid-February, following clashes with DOGE staffers who were attempting to access information about Social Security recipients.
—John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 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 31 Mar. 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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