clash

play

verb \ˈklash\

Definition of clash

intransitive verb
1 : to make a clash cymbals clashed
2 : to come into conflict where ignorant armies clash by night — Matthew Arnold; also : to be incompatible the colors clashed
transitive verb
: to cause to clash

clasher

noun

See clash defined for English-language learners

See clash defined for kids

Examples of clash in a Sentence

Police and protesters clashed yesterday.
The sofa and the chair clash.
She ended the song by clashing the cymbals.

Recent Examples of clash from the Web

The bleeding memories of her witnesses clashed with the gloss and bombast of the official rhetoric.

— The Economist, "Remembering the Great Patriotic War was a political act," 20 July 2017
These elements never clash because the characters are fully formed individuals, real people with real relationships and real problems.

— katie walsh, chicagotribune.com, "'Girls Trip' review: Raunchy but heartfelt female empowerment," 19 July 2017
The two countries have discreet security ties, but frequently clash over Israel’s policies at the Jerusalem site.

— karin laub, The Seattle Times, "Metal detectors at Jerusalem shrine trigger new tensions," 18 July 2017
But a subsequent analysis by the Government Accountability Office clashed with Klotz’s description.

— r. jeffrey smith, Science | AAAS, "Safety problems at a Los Alamos laboratory," 30 June 2017
From the start the two boxers clashed, Dobson's opponent, Jeremy Nichols (7-1-1, 2 KOs) of Las Vegas, made his entrance in flashy red and gold trunks and Dobson (9-0-0, 5 KOs) marched in wearing classic New York Yankees pinstripes.

— drew hill, The Courier-Journal, "Real Deal Championship Boxing was a knockout Saturday night in Louisville," 25 June 2017
The bone-crackling, helmet-crunching ramming reminiscent of clashing bighorn sheep.

— ethan bauer, miamiherald, "Former Dolphins see declining health of predecessors and wonder: Are we next?," 24 June 2017
To avoid clashing with Supreme Court rulings on abortion rights, the bill included an exception for pregnant women and medical professionals.

— matt ford, The Atlantic, "The Risk of Rushing Through Legislation," 23 June 2017
These two national seeds (TCU is No. 6; U of L is No. 7) will clash at 8 p.m. (

— gentry estes, The Courier-Journal, "College World Series Live Updates | Louisville-TCU," 22 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'clash.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of clash

imitative

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1500

See Words from the same year

clash

noun

Definition of clash

1 : a noisy usually metallic sound of collision
2a : a hostile encounter : skirmishb : a sharp conflict a clash of opinions

See clash defined for English-language learners

Examples of clash in a Sentence

Hundreds were killed in ethnic clashes in the region last month.
a clash between rival gangs that resulted in some serious injuries

Recent Examples of clash from the Web

The clashes over the park intensified in the summer of 1970.

— chris foran, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "When a police crackdown led to a riot on Milwaukee's east side — in 1970," 11 July 2017
But less than luxurious leather quality and limited standard equipment clash with Jaguar’s otherwise palatial presentation.

— eric stafford, Car and Driver, "2017 Jaguar XF," 23 June 2017
The Mess, as the restaurant was called, never opened to the public due to a series of personality clashes among the culinary staff.

— jessica cumberbatch anderson, ELLE Decor, "This Instagram-Worthy Restaurant Never Opened, And Now You Can Buy The Decor Right Off The Walls," 21 June 2017
Whether or not to pursue bonds for $12 million in capital improvements brought a party-line clash to the Lake County Council.

— carrie napoleon, Post-Tribune, "Lake moves forward for $12M improvement plan," 16 June 2017
Not long ago, these cross-cultural clashes were unthinkable for one simple reason:

— peter rowe, sandiegouniontribune.com, "For UC San Diego, the Dalai Lama's visit has global impact — for better or worse," 15 June 2017
The Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders clash in a fourth-round U.S. Open Cup match on Tuesday, June 13 at 7:30 p.m. Pacific Time at Starfire Stadium.

— jamie goldberg, oregonlive.com, "Portland Timbers at Seattle Sounders: Live Updates, Score, TV Channel," 14 June 2017
Around this time last year, Rafael Nadal pulled out on the eve of his third-round clash with Marcel Granollers at the French Open, calling a press conference to announce his retirement from the tournament with a nagging left wrist injury.

— arnav adhikari, The Atlantic, "Five Takeaways From Nadal’s French Open Victory," 12 June 2017
From his earliest days as a deputy district attorney, Moore cultivated media coverage - a strategy that paid off during his clash with the ACLU.

— amy yurkanin, AL.com, "Roy Moore campaigns for senate on a shoestring and a prayer," 8 June 2017

First Known Use of clash

1513

CLASH Defined for English Language Learners

clash

play

verb

Definition of clash for English Language Learners

: to be in a situation in which you are fighting or disagreeing : to come into conflict with someone
: to look bad or ugly together
: to be very different in a way that makes being or working together difficult

clash

noun

Definition of clash for English Language Learners

: a short fight between groups of people
: an argument or disagreement between people
: a difference that makes it difficult for people or things to be together or work together

CLASH Defined for Kids

clash

play

verb \ˈklash\

Definition of clash for Students

clashed

;

clashing

1 : to make or cause to make the loud sound of metal objects hitting clashing cymbals
2 : to come into conflict Protesters clashed with the police.
3 : to not go together well Their personalities clashed. Your shirt and tie clash.

clash

play

noun

Definition of clash for Students

1 : a loud sharp sound usually of metal striking metal the clash of swords
2 : a struggle or strong disagreement It was inevitable that the clash for leadership should come. — Jack London, The Call of the Wild