clash

verb

\ ˈklash

clashed; clashing; clashes

Definition of clash

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

clash

noun

Definition of clash (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : a noisy usually metallic sound of collision

2a : a hostile encounter : skirmish

b : a sharp conflict a clash of opinions

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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: Verb

National mourning is rapidly transforming into outrage as police clash with protestors in the area surrounding the museum’s gutted remains, CNN reports. — Lale Arikoglu, Condé Nast Traveler, "Brazil Mourns Loss of Rio de Janeiro's National Museum After Devastating Fire," 4 Sep. 2018 Homelessness grew, and the new residents of Oakland clashed with the native residents and their culture. — Michelle Dione Snider, The Root, "When Barbecuing and Living While Black Becomes a Crime," 28 May 2018 Marie Claire: In the film, the older and younger versions of yourself talk to each other directly, and often clash. — Abigail Pesta, Marie Claire, "This Woman's True Story of Child Sexual Abuse Is Now a Movie Starring Laura Dern," 24 May 2018 Organizers in Blacksburg, Virginia, initially moved their march up 1 day to avoid clashing with an annual scrimmage by the local university’s football team that draws tens of thousands of spectators as well as a chocolate festival in the city. — Jeffrey Mervis, Science | AAAS, "2018 March for Science will be far more than street protests," 4 Apr. 2018 In 2016, the two rival forces clashed once again in Juba, and Machar once again fled the city — as well as the country. — Jennifer Williams, Vox, "South Sudan’s civil war has raged for 5 years. Now the leaders of the two sides are meeting.," 20 June 2018 Costa clashed with Portugal’s Pepe and appeared to hit Pepe’s face with his forearm, but the goal stood following review. — Nick Schwartz, For The Win, "Should referees have waved off Diego Costa's sensational goal?," 15 June 2018 While the protests remained largely peaceful, there were some reports of violence, as riot police and security officials clashed with some of the protesters and deployed tear gas . — Marilia Brocchetto, CNN, "Hundreds protest in Jordan against austerity measures," 3 June 2018 But Rose clashed at times with Popovich over minutes, and the Spurs needed a big man to help ease some of Tim Duncan’s hefty load. — Tom Orsborn, San Antonio Express-News, "Spurs trade history includes several blockbusters," 26 May 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Fans speculate: The location of the clash is also important. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "The Game of Thrones Season 8 Teaser Is Here and Fans Already Have Theories," 7 Dec. 2018 In the most recent clash this summer, Bytedance accused Tencent of blocking TikTok videos from its platforms, including dominant messaging app WeChat; Tencent retorted by suing Bytedance for libel and anti-competitive practices. — Sam Byford, The Verge, "How China’s Bytedance became the world’s most valuable startup," 30 Nov. 2018 In response to Ukraine’s move, Russia plans to send more S-400 missiles, which can travel as far as 250 miles, in Crimea in case the clash grows bigger. — Stavros Agorakis, Vox, "Vox Sentences: Russia threatens war with Ukraine — again," 29 Nov. 2018 If Iceland beats Nigeria in a clash between Group D’s other teams on Friday, Argentina will need a miracle to advance at the World Cup. — Martin Rogers, USA TODAY, "Messi's misery evident as Argentina suffers devastating 3-0 loss to Croatia at World Cup," 21 June 2018 Barrett also called the police during a clash on April 6, 2011, according to the records, but the dispute was verbal and no arrests were made. — Christine Dempsey, courant.com, "Couple In Murder-Suicide Had On-And-Off Relationship, Police Records Show," 5 June 2018 Tear gas and gunfire left hundreds injured in clashes on three bridges that divide Colombia and Venezuela, while two trucks carrying food and other supplies were torched by Venezuelan forces, according to witnesses including two opposition deputies. — José De Córdoba And Daniela Blandón, WSJ, "Violence Erupts in Venezuela Border Showdown," 23 Feb. 2019 But in light of the weekend’s clashes, Fox has brought the caravan frenzy back again. — Emily Stewart, Vox, "Fox News wants you to be very afraid of what’s happening at the border," 26 Nov. 2018 The killing triggered protests and clashes as hundreds of people poured into streets at several places in downtown Srinagar calling for the end of Indian rule. — Fox News, "Clashes erupt around Kashmir after Indian troops kill man," 27 Sep. 2018

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.