1
as in skirmishes
a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups
a clash between rival gangs that resulted in some serious injuries
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in rattles
the loud sound made when metal strikes metal
the clash of cymbals
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in conflicts
to be out of harmony or agreement usually noticeably
the colors of your shirt and pants clash a parent's idea of proper dress often clashes with a teenager's
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of clashes
ABC News, 30 Mar. 2026
In Dallas, clashes erupted between No Kings marchers and counter-protesters.
—Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 29 Mar. 2026
The clashes have played out in public and are exposing tensions within the Republican Party, with conservative commentators such as Megyn Kelly openly questioning whether the war is in America’s best interest.
—Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2026
While most gatherings were reportedly peaceful, authorities and media reported clashes late in the day outside federal properties in Los Angeles and Portland, where police issued dispersal orders and made arrests after confrontations at sites associated with immigration enforcement and detention.
—Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2026
That negotiation of ownership and control has led to other high-profile clashes.
—Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2026
The decision follows a series of clashes between the federal government and Minnesota officials over immigration enforcement.
—CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
The massive expansion of enforcement operations drew local resistance from activists, leading to clashes with federal agents and the deaths of residents Good and Pretti during confrontations with ICE and Border Patrol.
—Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 28 Mar. 2026
More than 20 people died in that incident, and another 30 were injured, and banknotes from the plane's cargo scattered around the crash site, prompting clashes between residents and security forces.
—Luis Jaime Acosta, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 5 Feb. 2026
He is paired with an arrogant young partner (Lou), a second-generation political scion whose personality clashes sharply with his own.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 29 Jan. 2026
In the rapidly evolving world of denim manufacturing, the quest for sustainability often clashes with the demand for authentic, high-quality aesthetics.
—Sj Studio, Sourcing Journal, 8 Jan. 2026
At Tender, Whitney clashes with his more hedonistic co-founder Jonah (Kal Penn) and bosses around his assistant Haley (Kiernan Shipka).
—Alison Herman, Variety, 6 Jan. 2026
That statement clashes with the First Amendment, where decades of case law have maintained that students do not shed their free expression rights when on campus.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 1 Dec. 2025
Played by Nick Cannon, Devon joins the marching band at Atlanta A&T University, where his confidence quickly clashes with his section leader’s discipline.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 16 Oct. 2025
The memo also clashes with a 2019 law that requires back pay for federal workers.
—Christian Orozco, NBC news, 8 Oct. 2025
Coerced into a conversion therapy program, Jared clashes with its hostile leader (Joel Edgerton), igniting a transformative journey of self-acceptance.
—Alex Gurley, People.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Noun
Videos from the scene showed clashes and even a man with a gun in one town.
—ABC News, 30 Mar. 2026
In Dallas, clashes erupted between No Kings marchers and counter-protesters.
—Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 29 Mar. 2026
The clashes have played out in public and are exposing tensions within the Republican Party, with conservative commentators such as Megyn Kelly openly questioning whether the war is in America’s best interest.
—Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2026
While most gatherings were reportedly peaceful, authorities and media reported clashes late in the day outside federal properties in Los Angeles and Portland, where police issued dispersal orders and made arrests after confrontations at sites associated with immigration enforcement and detention.
—Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2026
That negotiation of ownership and control has led to other high-profile clashes.
—Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2026
The decision follows a series of clashes between the federal government and Minnesota officials over immigration enforcement.
—CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
The massive expansion of enforcement operations drew local resistance from activists, leading to clashes with federal agents and the deaths of residents Good and Pretti during confrontations with ICE and Border Patrol.
—Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 28 Mar. 2026
More than 20 people died in that incident, and another 30 were injured, and banknotes from the plane's cargo scattered around the crash site, prompting clashes between residents and security forces.
—Luis Jaime Acosta, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
Verb
In the early days of tour rehearsal, Johannes shows up and immediately clashes with Celeste, causing more stress for Charli.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 5 Feb. 2026
He is paired with an arrogant young partner (Lou), a second-generation political scion whose personality clashes sharply with his own.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 29 Jan. 2026
In the rapidly evolving world of denim manufacturing, the quest for sustainability often clashes with the demand for authentic, high-quality aesthetics.
—Sj Studio, Sourcing Journal, 8 Jan. 2026
At Tender, Whitney clashes with his more hedonistic co-founder Jonah (Kal Penn) and bosses around his assistant Haley (Kiernan Shipka).
—Alison Herman, Variety, 6 Jan. 2026
That statement clashes with the First Amendment, where decades of case law have maintained that students do not shed their free expression rights when on campus.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 1 Dec. 2025
Played by Nick Cannon, Devon joins the marching band at Atlanta A&T University, where his confidence quickly clashes with his section leader’s discipline.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 16 Oct. 2025
The memo also clashes with a 2019 law that requires back pay for federal workers.
—Christian Orozco, NBC news, 8 Oct. 2025
Coerced into a conversion therapy program, Jared clashes with its hostile leader (Joel Edgerton), igniting a transformative journey of self-acceptance.
—Alex Gurley, People.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clashes
Noun
-
With billions of dollars at stake, the conflicts manifest in sharp skirmishes in the Legislature, in courts and in the ballot measure arena.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
In a dangerous escalation from cross-border skirmishes, Pakistan launched air strikes at the end of February, targeting major cities including Kabul.—
Harriet Marsden,
TheWeek,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Most people initially become aware of the reptiles by hearing their rattles, which the snakes use to try to scare off aggressors or to distract prey.—
Gary Robbins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
-
The snakes can, however, lose their rattles or simply decide not to use them.—
Brianna Taylor,
Sacbee.com,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But Balzano rejects the idea that fast development automatically conflicts with automotive reliability.—
Malana VanTyler,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
-
That approach also conflicts with the national framework governing commercial driver licensing.—
Bhupinder Kaur,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Others dropped re-election bids following redistricting fights that scrambled political maps and would have forced them to campaign in new districts.—
Benjamin Siegel,
ABC News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
While still being finalized, the card features two championship fights.—
Will Weissert,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The new rings are here The Dodgers gave out World Series rings on Friday.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Ken Clay, who won World Series rings with the New York Yankees following the first two of his five seasons in Major League Baseball, died March 26.—
Jon Paul Hoornstra,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But there is an individual honor looming for Jokic that inevitably collides with controversy, that could determine the fate of this season.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
30 Mar. 2026
-
That flashback thread unfolds against the twilight of British colonial rule, as the impending disbanding of the Royal Hong Kong Police Force’s Special Branch collides with the kidnapping of a prominent business tycoon, triggering a dangerous internal power struggle.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
At the same time, groups like the nonpartisan Latino Victory Project, which focuses on developing Hispanic political leadership, said this current moment should not distract from the still-ongoing civil rights battles.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Understandably, some gamers may be skeptical or even alarmed, given the ethical issues and legal battles surrounding generative AI.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In Guyana’s capital city of Georgetown, neighbors can still hear the thumps.—
Tyler Jett,
Des Moines Register,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clashes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clashes. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
