Synonym Chooser

How is the word collision different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of collision are concussion, impact, and shock. While all these words mean "a forceful, even violent contact between two or more things," collision implies the coming together of two or more things with such force that both or all are damaged or their progress is severely impeded.

the collision damaged the vehicle

In what contexts can concussion take the place of collision?

The synonyms concussion and collision are sometimes interchangeable, but concussion when not in technical use, often suggests the shattering, disrupting, or weakening effects of a collision, explosion, or blow.

bystanders felt the concussion of the blast

When could impact be used to replace collision?

In some situations, the words impact and collision are roughly equivalent. However, impact may be used to imply contact between two things, at least one of which is impelled toward the other.

the glass shattered on impact with the floor

When might shock be a better fit than collision?

The words shock and collision are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, shock often denotes the effect produced by a collision and carries the suggestion of something that strikes or hits with force.

the shock of falling rocks

Examples 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 collision According to a paper published today in Nature, the reason is intense episodes of star formation in the cores of galaxies caused by large flows of cold gas and collisions between galaxies. Jamie Carter, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024 Multiple people were taken to the hospital following a three-car collision in Torrington that led to one vehicle rolling over, trapping the driver inside. Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 5 Dec. 2024 Increasing a $200 deductible to $500 could reduce collision and comprehensive coverage costs by as much as 30%, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Liz Knueven, CNBC, 4 Dec. 2024 The impact of the collision caused the bus to overturn and land on its roof in the small pond. Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 27 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for collision 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for collision
Noun
  • By the lights not sufficiently illuminating the roadway, the risk of a crash increases, the company said in a NHTSA report.
    Ahjané Forbes, USA TODAY, 9 Dec. 2024
  • Authorities are asking that anyone with videos or photos of the crash send them to PSCityGovernmentMedia@palmspringsca.gov.
    Emily Alpert Reyes, Los Angeles Times, 8 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • The fact Norway has the most EVs per capita of any country is not an accident.
    Sverre Alvik, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
  • President-elect Donald Trump’s surgeon general nominee was involved in a tragic gun accident as a teenager that killed her father.
    Escher Walcott, People.com, 9 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • The risk of doing so is too great, given the likelihood of some other economic shock that will inevitably become manifest.
    Ivan Illan, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024
  • Weight regain may be somewhat of a shock to your system and allow more harmful bacteria to thrive.13 The gut bacteria instability from yo-yo dieting may contribute to digestive issues and inflammation and affect your mood.
    Lauren Panoff, MPH, RD, Verywell Health, 2 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Notre-Dame was also a wreck during the 19th century when a young French architect named Eugène Emmanuel Viollet-le-Duc was hired to save it from ruin.
    Michael Kimmelman, New York Times, 6 Dec. 2024
  • After a series of mishaps and a wreck off Cape Breton, however, Richard W. Haines, an American businessman, bought the ship, made significant repairs and renamed it the Mary Celeste.
    Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Academics tried to capture Swift, too, with universities creating a whole sub genre of classes about Swift and the Eras tour, her impact on girlhood and her marketing influence, about feminism and power.
    Laura Trujillo, USA TODAY, 7 Dec. 2024
  • Sports injuries: Many forearm fractures happen during sports, either from falls or direct impacts.
    Maggie Aime, MSN, Health, 6 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Murray was acquired by New Orleans over the offseason to give this team another jolt in the backcourt.
    Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2024
  • Willis could be just the jolt Green Bay’s inept red zone off needs.
    Rob Reischel, Forbes, 23 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • The White Sox have a major need for power hitting as Jose Abreu, Eloy Jimenez and Yoan Moncada are gone and Andrew Vaughn appears to have misplaced his thump.
    Phil Rogers, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
  • Ariel remembered telling Maricela to hurry and then feeling a whoosh and hearing a thump behind him.
    Melissa Sanchez, ProPublica, 24 Oct. 2024
Noun
  • But in the bottom of the inning, Gavin Lux walked, Tommy Edman hit an infield single and Mookie Betts was intentionally walked, setting the stage for Freeman’s heroics. Nestor Cortes, who hadn’t pitched since Sept. 18 due to an elbow injury, gave up the slam and took the loss for New York.
    Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 26 Oct. 2024
  • Bid three diamonds, planning to support hearts next, showing slam interest and club shortness.
    Frank Stewart, The Mercury News, 11 Oct. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near collision

Cite this Entry

“Collision.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/collision. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on collision

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