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
Matthew Carey, Deadline, 8 Apr. 2026
While Hungary is a member of the European Union, Orbán has repeatedly attacked the it and clashed with his European counterparts on several issues, including Russia's war in Ukraine, using his veto power to try to block the EU's efforts to support Ukraine.
—Hannah Demissie, ABC News, 7 Apr. 2026
ABC News, 8 Apr. 2026
Major staffing challenges and clashes with labor partners make addressing a budget shortfall now amounting to $170 million this year an even more harrowing task.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for clash
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Verb
The two sisters clash when Tonina secretly buys out a part of their island family house from their cousin Željka, even though the sisters had agreed to buy it together.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 8 Apr. 2026
While Hungary is a member of the European Union, Orbán has repeatedly attacked the it and clashed with his European counterparts on several issues, including Russia's war in Ukraine, using his veto power to try to block the EU's efforts to support Ukraine.
—Hannah Demissie, ABC News, 7 Apr. 2026
Noun
The roads are often caught up in the deadly clashes between Congolese security forces and rebels that sometimes block major access routes.
—ABC News, 8 Apr. 2026
Major staffing challenges and clashes with labor partners make addressing a budget shortfall now amounting to $170 million this year an even more harrowing task.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 8 Apr. 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 14 Apr. 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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