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
Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 31 Dec. 2025
In Turkey, security forces recently clashed with Islamic State militants during counterterrorism operations, wounding several officers, according to Reuters on Monday.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 31 Dec. 2025
Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 1 Jan. 2026
People protesting deteriorating economic conditions in Iran took to the streets across several of the country’s provinces over the past day, with some demonstrations turning deadly after clashes with police.
—Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 1 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for clash
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Verb
Violence against Palestinians in the West Bank has continued to escalate for months as mobs of settler extremists attempt to force the civilians out of their homes, clashing with Israel Defense Forces personnel sent to quell the crowds at times.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 31 Dec. 2025
In Turkey, security forces recently clashed with Islamic State militants during counterterrorism operations, wounding several officers, according to Reuters on Monday.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 31 Dec. 2025
Noun
In Lordegan, in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, clashes intensified overnight.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 1 Jan. 2026
People protesting deteriorating economic conditions in Iran took to the streets across several of the country’s provinces over the past day, with some demonstrations turning deadly after clashes with police.
—Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 1 Jan. 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 7 Jan. 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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