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
Synonyms
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
Meredith Blake, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2025
Student protesters in Iran clash with authorities The demonstrations began on Friday after the death on a 19-year-old student during a robbery on the campus of the University of Tehran.
—Brie Stimson, Fox News, 16 Feb. 2025
David Robinson, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2025
Members of the Congolese Red Cross and civil protection workers bury dozens of victims of the recent clashes at a cemetery in Goma on Tuesday.
—Reuters, NBC News, 6 Feb. 2025
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Verb
On board the boat, Saxon and Timothy clash with the grumpy Rick (Walton Goggins), who’s in Thailand for mysterious purposes with his younger girlfriend, the sweet, free-spirited Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood).
—Meredith Blake, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2025
Student protesters in Iran clash with authorities The demonstrations began on Friday after the death on a 19-year-old student during a robbery on the campus of the University of Tehran.
—Brie Stimson, Fox News, 16 Feb. 2025
Noun
That grievance total was the second-highest tally since 2016, according to a USA TODAY Network analysis, suggesting current economic conditions and corporate policies are fueling more clashes over insurance coverage.
—David Robinson, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2025
Members of the Congolese Red Cross and civil protection workers bury dozens of victims of the recent clashes at a cemetery in Goma on Tuesday.
—Reuters, NBC News, 6 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for clash
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Dictionary Entries Near clash
Cite this Entry
“Clash.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clash. Accessed 21 Feb. 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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