clash 1 of 2

noun

Definition of clashnext
1
as in skirmish
a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups a clash between rival gangs that resulted in some serious injuries

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in rattle
the loud sound made when metal strikes metal the clash of cymbals

Synonyms & Similar Words

clash

2 of 2

verb

ˈklash How to pronounce clash (audio)
as in to conflict
to be out of harmony or agreement usually noticeably the colors of your shirt and pants clash a parent's idea of proper dress often clashes with a teenager's

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of clash
Noun
Fast forward 20 years to 1986, and the epic quarterfinal clash at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico will be remembered in the buildup as being played against the backdrop of the Falklands War, which had been fought four years previously. — Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 11 July 2026 Wolverine’s clash with Magneto, the perennial antihero, left him severely injured, physically and mentally. — Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
Verb
As supporters and protesters clash, Cartman travels back to 1776, witnesses the independence debate and finds parallels to the present. — Hillel Italie, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026 Trump has long rebuked other NATO countries over their defense spending — and claimed last year’s pledge to collectively boost it as a major personal win — while more recently clashing with them for failing to back his war against Iran. — ABC News, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for clash
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clash
  1. skirmish
  2. rattle
  3. conflict
  4. battle
  5. ring
  6. collide
  7. fight
  8. thump
Noun
  • The skirmishes date back to shortly after Haaland’s arrival at Manchester City in July 2022.
    — Jack Lang, New York Times, 5 July 2026
  • Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham’s point toward Phoenix Mercury forward DeWanna Bonner amid a heated skirmish during their game has gone mega viral.
    — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of skirmish
Noun
  • Leadership disruptions can distract management, rattle employees, concern investors, and create reputational challenges for organizations.
    — Edward Segal, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
  • The slightest details, or the smallest bits of structure, are what stick out—what can feel like an amorphous ooze of nothingness suddenly snaps into place thanks to a rhythmic rattle or jagged vocal sample.
    — Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 6 July 2026
Definition of rattle
Verb
  • While those already here jockey for space, sometimes eating or conflicting with one another, other South Florida invasives like the massive Nile monitor may well be on their way into the area soon, Atkinson said.
    — Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 July 2026
  • Thursday’s game saw Moroccans gather in Paris in Moroccan and French jerseys, either conflicted about whom to root for or happy either way.
    — Mark Sappenfield, Christian Science Monitor, 10 July 2026
Definition of conflict
Noun
  • True, nothing so grand as a massive dragon and naval battle took place, but seeing Rhaenyra start to change into someone almost unrecognizable from her younger, more innocent self was compelling in a deeper way.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
  • There have been naval battles and beheadings and aerial battles and, well, more beheadings.
    — Brian Grubb, Vulture, 6 July 2026
Definition of battle
Noun
  • One ring found Thursday was engraved with characters believed to be Bhrami script, an ancient Indian writing system.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
  • Scientists connected multiple electrical contacts around each microscopic ring and tracked how electrical signals moved between them.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026
Definition of ring
Verb
  • Video showed Quansah’s studs colliding with Gallardo’s calf and the referee issued Quansah a red card that delighted the crowd as England’s lineup was reduced to 10 men.
    — Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • Mexican keeper Raúl Rangel charged out and collided with Gordon and was immediately whistled for a penalty.
    — Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
Definition of collide
Noun
  • Instead of promoting their efforts, Republican lawmakers were left scrambling when the president abruptly withdrew his support over a separate political fight.
    — Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
  • Away from fight sports, this past month has seen three players competing at the men’s World Cup who are facing active investigations or have been charged with rape.
    — Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 11 July 2026
Definition of fight
Noun
  • Duggan Borges gestures around the studio, that thump still coming through the ceiling.
    — Laura Snapes, Pitchfork, 9 July 2026
  • Quesst—a needle-nosed experimental aircraft with an airframe designed to reduce the typical sonic boom to a sonic thump.
    — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 2 July 2026
Definition of thump

Phrases Containing clash

Browse Nearby Words

clarity
clash
clashed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Clash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clash. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on clash

Nglish: Translation of clash for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of bibelot

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 17
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
child-detective
Spot the Misspelled Word July 2026 Those little red underlines can't help you now...
See All