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
Dan Walters, Oc Register, 26 Feb. 2026
Everything can be worn together, never clashing, but also never boring.
—Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 25 Feb. 2026
Arkansas Online, 27 Feb. 2026
Media outlets amplified the clash.
—Jay Caruso, The Washington Examiner, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for clash
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show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
Her mother, Secretary of State Shirley Weber, was a persistent advocate of no-nonsense education while serving in the Legislature, often clashing with the state’s entrenched education establishment — even the powerful California Teachers Association.
—Dan Walters, Oc Register, 26 Feb. 2026
Everything can be worn together, never clashing, but also never boring.
—Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 25 Feb. 2026
Noun
Experts say that most likely doesn't presage military clashes, but is intended to advance a broader effort to assert a more forceful regional role backed by Kim's nuclear arsenal and ties with Moscow and Beijing.
—Arkansas Online, 27 Feb. 2026
Media outlets amplified the clash.
—Jay Caruso, The Washington Examiner, 27 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 27 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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