clashes; clashed; clashing
1
: to be in a situation in which you are fighting or disagreeing : to come into conflict with someone
Police and protesters clashed yesterday.
The brothers often clash [=argue] over politics.
—often + withProtesters clashed with the police yesterday.
2
a
: to look bad or ugly together
Some colors clash.
The sofa and the chair clash.
She wore clashing colors.
—often + withThis shirt clashes with these pants.
b
: to be very different in a way that makes being or working together difficult
Their personalities clash.
clashing personalities/ideas
—often + withSo many of his ideas clash with mine.
3
: to make or cause (something) to make the loud sound of a metal object hitting another metal object
The cymbals clashed.
Their swords clashed.
She ended the song by clashing the cymbals.
4
of events
: to happen at the same time so that you cannot do or see both
—usually + with
The time of the picnic clashes [=(more commonly) conflicts] with another picnic I'm invited to.
plural clashes
1
a
: a short fight between groups of people
Hundreds were killed in ethnic clashes in the region last month.
—often + between or withClashes broke out between the police and protesters.
Several protesters were injured in a recent clash with the police.
violent clashes between the factions
b
: an argument or disagreement between people
—often + between or with
a clash between the two leaders
The company has had many clashes with environmentalists.
2
: a difference that makes it difficult for people or things to be together or work together
a clash of opinions/cultures
We have a personality clash. [=we often annoy each other or disagree; we do not get along]
3
: a loud sound made by hitting a metal object against another metal object
the clash of swords/cymbals
4
: a situation in which two events happen at the same time so that you cannot do or see both
The date of the debate had to be changed because of scheduling clashes. [=(more commonly) conflicts]
Cite this Entry
“Clash.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/clash. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
Copy Citation
