clash

verb \ ˈklash \

Updated on: 14 Apr 2018

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

But Leavy has clashed with new ownership led by CEO Derek Jeter and Bruce Sherman.

— jordan mcpherson, miamiherald, "Marlins Man is ready to join a new team. Here’s what happened | Miami Herald," 29 Mar. 2018
Trump has also clashed with the powerful gun lobby on certain measures, including raising the minimum age to purchase semi-automatic weapons to 21.

— Fox News, "Where does Trump stand on gun control? A look at the president's views," 28 Mar. 2018
Here are other times his behavior on Twitter has clashed with her public remarks on the importance of curbing bullying.

— katie rogers, New York Times, "Melania Trump Wants to End Online Bullying. Her Husband Doesn’t Help.," 20 Mar. 2018
The attorney general has repeatedly clashed with Kushner’s father-in-law, President Donald Trump, in unrelated legal fights.

— erik larson, Bloomberg.com, "N.Y. Attorney General to Meet With Tenants About Kushner Report," 19 Mar. 2018
Outgoing Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, the former CEO of Exxon Mobil, was well-known for clashing with President Donald Trump on the issue of climate change.

— emily atkin, The New Republic, "Mike Pompeo may be the first climate-denying secretary of state.," 13 Mar. 2018
Meanwhile, some allies of the President have begun identifying potential replacements for Kelly, whose strict management style has clashed with Trump's more freewheeling preferences.

— pamela brown, CNN, "Trump signals wider senior staff shake-up soon," 13 Mar. 2018
California has otherwise clashed viciously with the federal government, particularly on immigration issues.

— alexei koseff, sacbee, "'Dear President Trump': Jerry Brown invites Donald to Fresno | The Sacramento Bee," 12 Mar. 2018
Lionel Messi has been withdrawn from Barcelona's squad ahead of their league clash against Malaga on Saturday due to 'personal reasons', the club have confirmed.

— SI.com, "Barcelona Confirm Lionel Messi Has Withdrawn From Clash With Málaga Due to 'Personal Reasons'," 10 Mar. 2018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.

Origin and Etymology of clash

imitative

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1500

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

clash Synonyms

clash

noun

Definition of clash

1 : a noisy usually metallic sound of collision

2 a : a hostile encounter : skirmish

b : 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

Security officials called off the operation following the massive protests and clashes in the area.

— Washington Post, "Troops kill 4 Kashmir civilians during anti-India protest," 11 Apr. 2018
The Hajin killings came amid days of widespread protests and clashes against Indian presence, after the Sunday deaths of 13 rebels and four civilians.

— yasin dar and aijaz hussain, Fox News, "In Kashmir, 2 killings come amid tangles of fear and loyalty," 6 Apr. 2018
At least one Palestinian journalist, Yasser Mourthaja, was wounded in the clashes.

— noga tarnopolsky, latimes.com, "Death toll rises to 8 as Palestinians rally along Gaza-Israel border," 6 Apr. 2018
Approximately 400 Islamic State fighters crossed the Euphrates River and ambushed the town, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group, killed 11 pro-government fighters in clashes, and losing five of their own.

— sarah el deeb and philip issa, chicagotribune.com, "As Trump moves to pull U.S. out of Syria, the Islamic State attempts to re-emerge," 5 Apr. 2018
Elahi also condemned the police shooting of Stephon Clark in California and 17 Palestinians who died last week in clashes with the Israeli military.

— niraj warikoo, Detroit Free Press, "'Punish a Muslim Day' blasted by metro Detroit religious and political leaders," 3 Apr. 2018
Armed police and paramilitary soldiers in riot gear fanned out across the region and patrolled streets in anticipation of anti-India protests and clashes.

— aijaz hussain, BostonGlobe.com, "Kashmir shut by strike, security day after deadly fighting," 2 Apr. 2018
Several protests and clashes also erupted in Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir.

— Bloomberg.com, "Anti-India Protests Erupt in Kashmir After Deadly Fighting," 1 Apr. 2018
The United States plans to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem around May 14, the 70th anniversary of Israel's declaration of independence, increasing the potential for further protests and clashes.

— sheena mckenzie, ian lee and abeer salman, CNN, "Gaza protests: Pope Francis calls for peace in wake of violence," 1 Apr. 2018

First Known Use of clash

1513

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

clash Synonyms

Synonyms

battle, combat, conflict, contest, dustup, fight, fracas, fray, hassle, scrap, scrimmage, scuffle, skirmish, struggle, tussle;

Near Antonyms

truce;

Related Words

pitched battle, rough-and-tumble;

battle royal, brawl, donnybrook, free-for-all, melee (also mêlée), mix-up, ruckus, ruction;

blows, fistfight, fisticuffs, slugfest;

confrontation, duel, face-off, joust;

altercation, argument, contretemps, controversy, cross fire, disagreement, dispute, falling-out, kickup, misunderstanding, quarrel, row, spat, squabble, tangle, tiff, wrangle;

catfight;

CLASH Defined for English Language Learners

clash

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

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

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

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See words that rhyme with clash Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for clash Spanish Central: Translation of clash Nglish: Translation of clash for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of clash for Arabic speakers

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clash

Definition of clash

clasher

Examples of clash in a Sentence

Recent Examples of clash from the Web

Origin and Etymology of clash

clash Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

clash

Definition of clash

Examples of clash in a Sentence

Recent Examples of clash from the Web

First Known Use of clash

clash Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

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CLASH Defined for English Language Learners

clash

Definition of clash for English Language Learners

clash

Definition of clash for English Language Learners

CLASH Defined for Kids

clash

Definition of clash for Students

clash

Definition of clash for Students

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