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
Michael R. Blood, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025
The drama stars Norton as Harold, Earl of Wessex, opposite Coster-Waldau as William, Duke of Normandy, two men destined to clash at the Battle of Hastings.
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 4 Aug. 2025
Usa Today, USA Today, 5 Aug. 2025
Nobody’s life but Galileo’s was at stake in his historic clash between religious dogma and scientific fact.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2025
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
The rivalry puts a spotlight on two states that for years have dueled over jobs, innovation, prestige — even sports — with the backdrop of clashing political visions — one progressive, one conservative.
—Michael R. Blood, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025
The drama stars Norton as Harold, Earl of Wessex, opposite Coster-Waldau as William, Duke of Normandy, two men destined to clash at the Battle of Hastings.
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 4 Aug. 2025
Noun
The moon’s clash with Mars threatens to sidetrack you.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 5 Aug. 2025
Nobody’s life but Galileo’s was at stake in his historic clash between religious dogma and scientific fact.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clash
Cite this Entry
“Clash.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clash. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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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