clash

1 of 2

verb

clashed; clashing; clashes

intransitive verb

1
: to make a clash
cymbals clashed
2
: to come into conflict
where ignorant armies clash by nightMatthew Arnold
also : to be incompatible
the colors clashed

transitive verb

: to cause to clash
clasher noun

clash

2 of 2

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Head coach Steve Kerr has indicated that the 6-foot-7 Marquette product will sit out the Warriors' preseason road clash on Tuesday night against the Portland Trail Blazers after straining his ankle during a Friday team practice. Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025 Since the ceasefire took effect, armed members of the group have already redeployed in parts of the strip, clashing with other groups and clans opposing it. Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
Relations between the two economies had been cool since deadly border clashes in 2020. Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2025 Beginning with the Fulham clash, which, of course, was set to finish 0-0 at Craven Cottage before Gudmundsson’s late header, Pyzdrowski analysed Darlow’s stoppage-time save from Kevin. Beren Cross, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for clash

Word History

Etymology

Verb

imitative

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1500, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1513, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of clash was circa 1500

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Clash.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clash. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

clash

1 of 2 verb
1
: 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 noun
1
: a loud sharp sound usually of metal striking metal
the clash of swords
2
: a sharp fight or strong disagreement

More from Merriam-Webster on clash

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