clash

verb

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\ ˈklash

clashed; clashing; clashes

Definition of clash

(Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

1 : to make a clash cymbals clashed

2 : to come into conflict where ignorant armies clash by night— Matthew Arnold also : to be incompatible the colors clashed

transitive verb

: to cause to clash

clash

noun

Definition of clash (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : a noisy usually metallic sound of collision

2a : a hostile encounter : skirmish

b : a sharp conflict a clash of opinions

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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: Verb Those constituencies, by definition, are destined to clash. — John Kass, chicagotribune.com, "Column: With Madigan gone, can Illinois afford a Munchkin moment?," 20 Feb. 2021 The two were set to clash last year, before the COVID-19 pandemic put a halt to both blockbusters and big screen skyscraper demolition. — Ben Flanagan | Bflanagan@al.com, al, "Alabama’s Adam Wingard to direct ‘Face/Off’ reboot," 11 Feb. 2021 The confident, defiant person in that leather dress was about to clash with the history of colonialism, institutional sexism, racist immigration policy and present-day structural violence. — Celina Caesar-chavannes, refinery29.com, "How Celina Caesar-Chavannes Took On Ottawa (& Trudeau) Her Way," 28 Jan. 2021 European leaders gathered in Brussels this week ready to clash on fundamental issues, from democracy to climate change. — Washington Post, "European leaders clash in Brussels but ultimately agree on a coronavirus rescue package and new climate goals," 11 Dec. 2020 The Tigers begin the schedule with a Feb. 28 home game against the Philadelphia Phillies in Lakeland, Florida, followed by a trip to Tampa for a March 1 clash with the New York Yankees. — Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Tigers release new spring training schedule: 29 games with fans in the stands," 12 Feb. 2021 House members took time to speak on the event, which saw thousands of Trump supporters clash with law enforcement and breach the U.S. Capitol. — Jake Dima, Washington Examiner, "Democratic congressman apologizes to colleagues of color for having 'privilege' during Capitol siege," 5 Feb. 2021 Republican Joni Ernst of Iowa questioned whether Vilsack's commitment to biofuels would clash with the Biden administration's public commitment to switch the federal vehicle fleet to electric cars and trucks. — Ashraf Khalil, Star Tribune, "Agriculture secretary nominee Vilsack endorses biofuels push," 2 Feb. 2021 Drew Lock and Matt Ryan clash when the Atlanta Falcons and Denver Broncos meet on Sunday, Nov. 8. — Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com, al, "Falcons vs. Broncos live stream (11/8): How to watch NFL Week 9 online, TV, time," 8 Nov. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun After Saturday's Big 12 clash, now those seeds can swap. — Scott Gleeson, USA TODAY, "College basketball winners and losers: Michigan all but locks up No. 1 seed in NCAA Tournament," 27 Feb. 2021 The House passed a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 aid spending bill early Saturday morning, leaving intact a $15 minimum wage mandate that sets up a clash with Senate rules that say it must be excluded. — Susan Ferrechio, Washington Examiner, "House passes $1.9 trillion coronavirus spending bill with minimum wage hike," 27 Feb. 2021 Rovers, owned by 'green energy' entrepreneur Dale Vince, will road test the prototype in their League Two clash against against Colchester United. — Reuters, CNN, "Forest Green Rovers hope recycled coffee kit will prove a good fit," 24 Feb. 2021 Most of the turnover reflects a broader culture clash that pits old and new ways of running a grand household against each other. — Susannah Jacob, The New Yorker, "The Secret Life of the White House," 24 Feb. 2021 Brookline’s policy carve-out, however, wasn’t enough to avoid a clash with someone who is ordinarily an ally of climate experts and activists. — Author: Steven Mufson, Anchorage Daily News, "Battle over natural gas role in climate change boils over in America’s home kitchens," 23 Feb. 2021 That sparked an argument, which led to the bloody clash. — Rajesh Roy, WSJ, "China Reveals Four of Its Soldiers Died in Border Clash With India," 19 Feb. 2021 And there was a broad consensus on Wednesday that the ugly intraparty clash would likely extend well into next year's congressional primary season. — Steve Peoples, Star Tribune, "Trump-McConnell feud threatens Republicans' path to power," 18 Feb. 2021 Some of the government efforts may be misplaced or counterproductive, but this clash is not going away, and its outcomes will be both unpredictable and momentous. — Shira Ovide, New York Times, "The State House Versus Big Tech," 16 Feb. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'clash.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.