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
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
Brieanna J. Frank, USA Today, 15 Jan. 2026
Caleb, not the only character here who must learn to trust, is a moody, arrogant sort of hunk, like James Dean with Dwayne Johnson biceps, who’ll clash with authority and with privileged rival and roommate Darem Reymi (George Hawkins).
—Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2026
Christopher Cann, USA Today, 16 Jan. 2026
Notwithstanding the clash between the two Bay Area Democrats, as a state issue, the soon-to-be former governor and the congressman matter less than who succeeds Newsom, as one of the candidates may be forced to confront the controversial issue.
—Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for clash
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Verb
Policinski referenced legislation and court rulings that highlight the clashing priorities that can exist between the government and the press.
—Brieanna J. Frank, USA Today, 15 Jan. 2026
Caleb, not the only character here who must learn to trust, is a moody, arrogant sort of hunk, like James Dean with Dwayne Johnson biceps, who’ll clash with authority and with privileged rival and roommate Darem Reymi (George Hawkins).
—Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2026
Noun
The threat comes after a night of clashes between protesters and federal agents in Minneapolis.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 16 Jan. 2026
Notwithstanding the clash between the two Bay Area Democrats, as a state issue, the soon-to-be former governor and the congressman matter less than who succeeds Newsom, as one of the candidates may be forced to confront the controversial issue.
—Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for clash
Cite this Entry
“Clash.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clash. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
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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