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, 4 Feb. 2026
Trendy colors, faux wood, and farmhouse styles date quickly or clash with architecture.
—Ashlyn Needham, The Spruce, 4 Feb. 2026
Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
Wu cited violent clashes between protesters and ICE officers in Minneapolis, noting the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, in her order.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for clash
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show current usage.
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Verb
At least three rights protected under the First Amendment clashed in recent days as protesters and journalists, including former CNN anchor Don Lemon, were arrested in connection with a Minnesota church protest.
—Brieanna J. Frank, USA Today, 4 Feb. 2026
Trendy colors, faux wood, and farmhouse styles date quickly or clash with architecture.
—Ashlyn Needham, The Spruce, 4 Feb. 2026
Noun
More than 30 people were killed in the clashes, prompting condemnation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who invoked the country’s peaceful heritage.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
Wu cited violent clashes between protesters and ICE officers in Minneapolis, noting the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, in her order.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 5 Feb. 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 7 Feb. 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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