CLASHES Synonyms: 120 Similar and Opposite Words

clashes 1 of 2

noun

plural of clash

as in skirmishes

a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups a clash between rival gangs that resulted in some serious injuries

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truces

as in rattles

the loud sound made when metal strikes metal the clash of cymbals

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clashes

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of clash

as in conflicts

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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 clashes

Noun

And some of the stones were reportedly thrown at police during nighttime clashes that authorities say left hundreds injured. — Fred A. Bernstein, Architectural Digest, 4 Nov. 2026 In the letter, the gang leader asks for an international delegation to be dispatched to Haiti to facilitate a dialogue in the Cul-de-Sac Plaine where clashes between armed gang members and security forces have forced people to flee their homes. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2026 Despite the announcement, thousands of garment workers continued to stage demonstrations in and around Dhaka, resulting in clashes with police who fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowds. — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 2 Nov. 2026 The month after, Baraa Maali was killed by the military during clashes between settlers and Palestinians, the military said. — Suheir Hashimeh, Washington Post, 1 Nov. 2026 His memories are hazy, though stories of clashes with police left a lasting impression. — Saskya Vandoorne, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2026 Now any chaos is on American streets, where violent and even deadly clashes have defined a deportation campaign that's designed to fulfill hardliners' goals of uprooting anyone in the country illegally. — ABC News, 29 Oct. 2026 Now any chaos is on American streets, where violent and even deadly clashes have defined a deportation campaign that’s designed to fulfill hardliners’ goals of uprooting anyone in the country illegally. — Nicholas Riccardi, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026 When Danny is assigned to create a holiday scrapbook for his mom, Michaela reluctantly accepts help from his free-spirited substitute teacher, Bryan (Morgan), whose creativity clashes with her need for preciseness and control. — Rachel Labonte, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2026

Verb

Paul clashes with Neeley, Matthews, and Draper before storming out of the party, only to return and continue arguing with the group. — Krystie Lee Yandoli, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026 According to The Ankler, the film’s plot centers on a Black reenactor at a historical slave plantation museum who clashes with the Midwest town’s racist mayor, played by Parker. — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026 The team-building process of the NFL sometimes clashes with the self-preservation process of human nature. — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2026 Elsewhere, Rhaenyra clashes with Lord Corlys, refusing to legitimize his sons Addam and Alyn with her hold on power so tenuous. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026 The resulting design gives the consumer-favorite 9060 a sleeker appearance, which clashes with its otherwise bulky proportions. — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 14 July 2026 Nader is set to play Selene, a captain of the Zuma Beach Lifeguards, who often clashes with Amell's character, Hobie Buchannon, her fellow co-captain. — Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 19 June 2026 Just be mindful when Venus clashes with Pluto retrograde on June 17 — attraction can turn into obsession if power dynamics (or boundaries) are off. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026 Azure Blue Azure blue also clashes with the warm, 3000K, soft white bulb that most of us prefer for a relaxing soak. — Natasha Bazika, Martha Stewart, 9 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for clashes

Noun

Apart from a few tear-gas skirmishes, the demonstrations ended peacefully.

— Michael Finnegan, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
Modern politics is a constant string of skirmishes over word choice.

— David Litt, Time, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of skirmishes

Verb

The narrative stretches from the aftermath of the Civil War to the First World War—conflicts that, for the Trasks, are opportunities for profiteering.

— Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 1 Oct. 2026
But what happens when the recommendation conflicts with the judgment of the sales leader?

— Jayasri Ranganathan, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of conflicts

Noun

In a separate incident, Modesto police cited a Riverbank High School student suspected of making a threatening social media post targeting Beyer following the fights.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026
Federal budget fights will likely resurface arguments about tax incentives for EVs and other clean tech.

— Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of fights

Noun

From there, they’re eased gently into a bagel machine that divides the dough into rings.

— HubSpot, HubSpot, 30 Oct. 2026
Ever one for accessories, Erivo added a bevy of rings that highlighted her purple nails and shimmering black and silver statement earrings to boot.

— Julia Teti, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of rings

Verb

When a class of schoolchildren collides with a group of pups at the park, the teacher and the dog walker pick up the wrong leashes, sending human child George away with the dogs and furry brown Romper off to school for the afternoon.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Nov. 2026
Once the clouds spiral into each other, the material inside them collides.

— Edwin Alexani, The Conversation, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of collides

Noun

At the morning roundtable, Alan tells the players that Marathon, Agincourt, and Waterloo were all decisive battles fought early in the day.

— Alice Burton, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2026
Across the two films, the saga will follow Shivaji Maharaj through his major battles and victories, the sacrifices that came with them and episodes from his life that are less widely known.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of battles

Noun

The soundtrack—by the frequent Hans Zimmer collaborator David Fleming—is a delight, a polyphonic mood board of ghost-clangs, spooky bassoons, lyrical electro-motifs, and sighing sea themes.

— James Parker, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026
The album’s official versions smooth out some of the buzzy sibilance of the bootlegs, but Hold Onto Me Infinity accommodates lots of tasteful clangs and wubs.

— H.D. Angel, Pitchfork, 2 June 2026