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

Other Words from clash Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about clash

Keep scrolling for more

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

This week in Trump Congress and Trump are clashing over subpoenas for Hope Hicks, his former aide. — Josh Hafner, USA TODAY, "OnPolitics: Watch the throne. And border.," 6 June 2019 The first teaser, for example, doesn't include any new footage, but instead shows fire and ice dramatically spreading—and clashing—over the Dragonstone map of Westeros. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "A New Game of Thrones Teaser Shows Jon Snow, Arya, and Sansa Together at Winterfell," 14 Jan. 2019 Russia has passed a series of laws in recent years that give the government more power to censor the web, and has clashed with major websites like Wikipedia over the rules. — Casey Newton, The Verge, "The UK’s inquiry into fake news is focused on a long-dead bikini-finding app," 27 Nov. 2018 The candidates running to become Georgia's next governor are clashing over whether the state should pass a law offering protection for citizens acting on religious belief. — Russ Bynum, Fox News, "Rivals for Georgia governor clash on 'religious freedom' law," 21 Sep. 2018 Google's employees and Google's management are clashing over ethical issues again. — Ron Amadeo, Ars Technica, "After employee revolt, Google says it is “not close” to launching search in China," 17 Aug. 2018 Scotland youngster Scott McTominay was drafted in on occasion ahead of him for a place in the Red Devils' starting eleven, as Mourinho and the player clashed over his discipline and performances. — SI.com, "Hugo Lloris Hails Paul Pogba as a 'True Leader' Ahead of France's World Cup Clash With Uruguay," 6 July 2018 Months after Mableton residents and historic preservationists clashed over how to name a new park that contains Civil War earthworks, the two sides appear to have reached a compromise. — Meris Lutz, ajc, "Cobb likely to adopt compromise name for park with Civil War earthworks," 8 June 2018 That odd couple wasn’t meant to be, with the two clashing over creative differences and Rodgers taking over the boards for Madonna's future albums. — Morgan Enos, Billboard, "Reggie Lucas Dead at 65: 11 of His Essential Cuts as a Jazz Sideman," 21 May 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Their original deal imploded amid acrimony in 2017 and their clash spilled into court in 2018 over the Therapedic allegations. — Nathan Bomey, USA TODAY, "Mattress Firm signs deal to sell Tempur Sealy mattresses again after bitter feud," 18 June 2019 His clash with the former was the most lucrative heavyweight fight in the USA since 2003, grossing around $30m. — SI.com, "The 100 Highest Paid Athletes in the World," 17 June 2019 Another mass protest was expected on Sunday, after clashes that turned violent on Wednesday, leaving about 80 people injured including 22 police officers. — NBC News, "Hong Kong extradition bill that sparked massive protests may be suspended," 15 June 2019 Their clashes are layered with both disdain and a hunger for understanding in similar quantities. — latimes.com, "Reviews: Jim Gaffigan doubles up in ‘Being Frank’; Jack Quaid is ‘Plus One’; and more," 13 June 2019 With America, caught up in a trade war with China, there is a risk that Hong Kong becomes the focus of a great-power clash. — The Economist, "The rule of law in Hong Kong," 13 June 2019 The battle over extradition erupted into violent clashes Wednesday afternoon as police attempted to forcibly disperse demonstrators swarming the city’s legislature and barricading major boulevards. — Time, "'If All of Us Come Out, We Can Win.' Hong Kong Protesters Call for Even Bigger March," 13 June 2019 After the morning bloodshed on Lexington green, on the first day of what would become a 3,059-day war, there occurred the second of what would be eventually more than 1,300 mostly small military clashes. — George Will, Twin Cities, "George Will: A nation not made by flimsy people," 7 June 2019 The 22-year-old has downed Djokovic in their two biggest clashes, in the Rome final on clay in 2017 and in last year's year-end championship finale in London. — Ravi Ubha, CNN, "French Open: Rain keeps Djokovic, Halep off court in wet Paris," 5 June 2019

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.