clash

1 of 2

verb

clashed; clashing; clashes

intransitive verb

1
: to make a clash
cymbals clashed
2
: to come into conflict
where ignorant armies clash by nightMatthew Arnold
also : to be incompatible
the colors clashed

transitive verb

: to cause to clash
clasher noun

clash

2 of 2

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Sharma Oli resigned on Tuesday as anti-corruption demonstrators defied an indefinite curfew and clashed with police, a day after 19 people died in violent protests triggered by a social media ban. Gopal Sharma, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025 Protests turn deadly The protests turned violent Monday as protesters clashed with police at the parliament complex in Kathmandu. Sugam Pokharel, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
The cutbacks are the result of a clash over two budgets—the SEPTA budget and the Pennsylvania budget. Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2025 In other words, while Europe continues to send arms supplies to the Ukrainian army, Europe is also careful not to go too far in order to minimize the prospects of a clash with Russia. Daniel R. Depetris, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for clash

Word History

Etymology

Verb

imitative

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1500, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1513, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of clash was circa 1500

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Clash.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clash. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

clash

1 of 2 verb
1
: 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 noun
1
: a loud sharp sound usually of metal striking metal
the clash of swords
2
: a sharp fight or strong disagreement

More from Merriam-Webster on clash

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