as in conflicting
not being in agreement or harmony
freedom and equality are often a clashing set of ideals
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in colliding
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
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Recent Examples of clashing
Maxie Younger, Pitchfork, 27 Mar. 2026
Over the years, my sisters and I have struggled through clashing personalities, intense disagreements and wonky power dynamics.
—Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2026
In addition to the storm of clashing superheroes and their evil intergalactic foes, this upcoming outing will introduce a trio of new antagonists called Thragg, Dinosaurus, and Universa.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 25 Feb. 2026
Shades that are distinctly different give more visual interest in a room and won't verge on clashing or too matchy-matchy.
—Melissa Epifano, The Spruce, 22 Feb. 2026
Avoid trendy or clashing colors and instead opt for timeless, natural tones with dimension; consider roof slope and visibility to match style with practicality.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 19 Feb. 2026
Sarah Staudinger’s latest collection for Staud had a distinct nod to the era through new slip dressing; clashing, playful prints; unexpected color pairings on simple knits and sportif layers, and minimalist outerwear.
—James Manso, Footwear News, 18 Feb. 2026
Come to think of it, a few especially forceful personalities fueled much of the clashing college curmudgeons economy.
—Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Their clashing and differing personalities prove to be a source of flirtation, which any Capricorn can see by reading between the lines.
—Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
Big Think, 20 Mar. 2026
Some protesters also have worn masks while clashing with immigration agents.
—Arkansas Online, 20 Mar. 2026
Frustration is simmering among parents who say their young children are spending too much classroom time online, disrupting their learning and development at a critical time and clashing with stricter screen restrictions at home.
—Kate Sequeira, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
Competing schedules or expectations may have your personal life clashing with your professional one!
—Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
The tensions stemmed in part from McMahon’s efforts to expand the EDC’s influence, sometimes clashing with the city’s economic development department.
—Dallas Morning News, 16 Mar. 2026
Starring Cedric the Entertainer and Max Greenfield, The Neighborhood revolves around a friendly Midwestern white family who moves into a predominantly Black neighborhood in Pasadena, CA, clashing with their skeptical, opinionated patriarch neighbor, Calvin Butler (Cedric the Entertainer).
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 16 Mar. 2026
The protest on Saturday went viral on Brazilian social media and showed the Israeli tourists clashing with residents who questioned their presence in the city.
—ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
There was the requisite conflict between two doctors clashing over treatment options, with a younger practitioner demanding respect from their supervisor—although in this version, the earnest appeal to credentialism was upended.
—Michael Tedder, The Atlantic, 15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
On his first album for his own Plastic & Sounds label, the Japanese producer sounds pricklier than ever, lacing hypnotic house and techno with microtonal dissonance and clashing textures.
—Maxie Younger, Pitchfork, 27 Mar. 2026
Over the years, my sisters and I have struggled through clashing personalities, intense disagreements and wonky power dynamics.
—Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2026
In addition to the storm of clashing superheroes and their evil intergalactic foes, this upcoming outing will introduce a trio of new antagonists called Thragg, Dinosaurus, and Universa.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 25 Feb. 2026
Shades that are distinctly different give more visual interest in a room and won't verge on clashing or too matchy-matchy.
—Melissa Epifano, The Spruce, 22 Feb. 2026
Avoid trendy or clashing colors and instead opt for timeless, natural tones with dimension; consider roof slope and visibility to match style with practicality.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 19 Feb. 2026
Sarah Staudinger’s latest collection for Staud had a distinct nod to the era through new slip dressing; clashing, playful prints; unexpected color pairings on simple knits and sportif layers, and minimalist outerwear.
—James Manso, Footwear News, 18 Feb. 2026
Come to think of it, a few especially forceful personalities fueled much of the clashing college curmudgeons economy.
—Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Their clashing and differing personalities prove to be a source of flirtation, which any Capricorn can see by reading between the lines.
—Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
Homes, shops, and temples express individual identities, sometimes clashing, often improvised, yet always alive.
—Big Think, 20 Mar. 2026
Some protesters also have worn masks while clashing with immigration agents.
—Arkansas Online, 20 Mar. 2026
Frustration is simmering among parents who say their young children are spending too much classroom time online, disrupting their learning and development at a critical time and clashing with stricter screen restrictions at home.
—Kate Sequeira, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
Competing schedules or expectations may have your personal life clashing with your professional one!
—Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
The tensions stemmed in part from McMahon’s efforts to expand the EDC’s influence, sometimes clashing with the city’s economic development department.
—Dallas Morning News, 16 Mar. 2026
Starring Cedric the Entertainer and Max Greenfield, The Neighborhood revolves around a friendly Midwestern white family who moves into a predominantly Black neighborhood in Pasadena, CA, clashing with their skeptical, opinionated patriarch neighbor, Calvin Butler (Cedric the Entertainer).
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 16 Mar. 2026
The protest on Saturday went viral on Brazilian social media and showed the Israeli tourists clashing with residents who questioned their presence in the city.
—ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
There was the requisite conflict between two doctors clashing over treatment options, with a younger practitioner demanding respect from their supervisor—although in this version, the earnest appeal to credentialism was upended.
—Michael Tedder, The Atlantic, 15 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clashing
Adjective
-
But among those who are slated to speak are big names in the MAGA movement who have voiced conflicting views on the Iran war.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The quarterly rollover—which wipes out close to 40% of open positions on the dominant Deribit exchange—comes amid conflicting signals on the prospect of a halt to the nearly month-long war in the Middle East.—
Sidhartha Shukla,
Fortune,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Once stationary, turn off all lights except the hazard flashers, engage the emergency brake, and release the brake pedal to ensure your tail lights are not illuminated, reducing the risk of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Dash cam video showed the bus initially colliding with the dump truck.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
For the first half on Friday night, Angel City Football Club was turning in one of those inconsistent performances that Coach Alex Straus expected would happen this season with a young team.—
Damian Calhoun,
Daily News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
As is often the case for 23-year-olds pushed into large roles, Podziemski has been inconsistent.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clashing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clashing. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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