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
But Kemp and Ossoff clash over who should get credit for Georgia’s green energy boom. Glen Luke Flanagan, Fortune, 30 June 2025 On June 27, 2025, the Global Combat Collective presents a must-see heavyweight clash as former world champion Deontay Wilder faces Tyrrell Herndon at Charles Koch Arena in Wichita, Kansas. Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025
Noun
In many ways, the game might offer a blueprint for the quarterfinal clash against Paris Saint-Germain. Manuel Veth, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025 Speaking in a press conference ahead of his team’s Club World Cup round-of-16 clash with Benfica in Charlotte, Maresca voiced a similar sentiment. Liam Twomey, New York Times, 28 June 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

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Cite this Entry

“Clash.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clash. Accessed 10 Jul. 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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