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
Andrew Solender, Axios, 30 Dec. 2024
While a few were somewhat peaceful, others devolved into chaos in which pro-Palestinian protesters clashed with authorities and pro-Israel supporters.
—Louis Casiano, Fox News, 30 Dec. 2024
Youmna Melhem Chamieh, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025
This, as increasing pressures on directors to become more engaged clash with related concerns of executives with board micromanagement.
—Michael Peregrine, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for clash 
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Verb
Aside from this Congress, the previously most unproductive sessions were the 112th and 113th — in which Republicans controlled the House and clashed bitterly with President Obama.
—Andrew Solender, Axios, 30 Dec. 2024
While a few were somewhat peaceful, others devolved into chaos in which pro-Palestinian protesters clashed with authorities and pro-Israel supporters.
—Louis Casiano, Fox News, 30 Dec. 2024
Noun
In addition to engaging in regular border clashes with Israel, the group has supported Bashar al-Assad in his decimation of Syrian rebels and has been accused of assassinating Lebanese political figures who oppose Syrian or Iranian influence in the country.
—Youmna Melhem Chamieh, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025
This, as increasing pressures on directors to become more engaged clash with related concerns of executives with board micromanagement.
—Michael Peregrine, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for clash
Articles Related to clash
Dictionary Entries Near clash
Cite this Entry
“Clash.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clash. Accessed 5 Jan. 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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