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

The border confrontation continued for 73 days, with occasional clashes that left soldiers on both sides injured. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 July 2026 Delhi Police said that around 180 people were injured amid the Monday clashes, including 118 security personnel and 60 protesters. — Connor Greene, Time, 22 July 2026 Part of that attention is aimed at Burwell’s score, a masterpiece of electronic minimalism in which pitch bends and hard clashes create the dread and whiplash that make the film so tense. — Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026 As part of these clashes, Israel twice launched significant air strikes on Iran—the second time ravaging Iran’s air defenses. — David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 20 July 2026 Another Cornell study found that Connecticut police were called to nursing homes for resident-to-resident clashes more often than allegations of staff abuse, theft, and residents wandering away without supervision combined. — Jordan Rau, NPR, 19 July 2026 Others, like the Charlie's Angels set imbroglio, stemmed from personality clashes and behind-the-scenes behavior. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 15 July 2026 Other controversial clashes included a 1998 knockout match in which English star David Beckham received a red card. — J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 15 July 2026 Balinese, from the smaller Hindu isle, is often rawer, and features bright, exciting bursts or metallic clashes. — Steve Hochman, SPIN, 15 July 2026

Verb

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 Getting things done may be harder than usual when the sun clashes with Neptune. — Usa Today, USA Today, 25 June 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 Matty is a blustering, blue-collar Bostonian who sees himself as the unequivocal boss of the house and frequently clashes with his liberal niece Blaire, an outspoken college student who often finds herself at odds with her more traditional-minded relatives. — Katie Campione, Deadline, 23 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for clashes

Noun

Pantani had targeted this stage from the start of the Tour and his Mercatone Uno team helped set the pace as the peloton made their way from Saint-Étienne to the foot of the Alpe but even once there Pantani bided his time in the early skirmishes.

— Duncan Alexander, New York Times, 24 July 2026
Border skirmishes also recurred, most notably the 1967 clashes between Chinese and Indian troops near Nathu La and Cho La, passes along the Tibet-Sikkim border, that resulted in heavy casualties.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 July 2026

Definition of skirmishes

Noun

Drummer Jay Russell kept to stark rattles, Sam Shipstone patched in his scratchy electric guitar, and Ryan Needham needled through grumbling basslines.

— Victoria Borlando, Pitchfork, 24 July 2026
Jigs with rattles are most productive and a big, active trailer is the way to go in muddy water.

— David A. Brown, Outdoor Life, 1 July 2026

Definition of rattles

Verb

Mowing at both cemeteries allots $30,550 for 13 cuts over a 26-week period, which conflicts with weekly and bi-weekly contracts for downtown areas, and six-week maintenance periods at ponds and other sites.

— Gregory Harutunian, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026
Olathe Schools also agreed to revise or remove any policies, guidance or website content that conflicts with the department’s interpretations of Title IX and Kansas law.

— Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 11 June 2026

Definition of conflicts

Noun

Both Roach, coming off three consecutive draws in title fights, and Zepeda, looking to bounce back from a loss, desperately need a decisive win.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
That divide has become more pronounced as national politics seep into local education fights.

— Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 21 July 2026

Definition of fights

Noun

Moreover, with new and different form factors emerging, consumers have even more choices, ranging from rings and bracelets to glasses and watches.

— Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
But the upside of Myers — and his four rings from Golden State — speaking directly to Paul outweighed the potential minuses.

— David Aldridge, New York Times, 25 July 2026

Definition of rings

Verb

When comets come around the sun, the dust emitted as the debris collides with Earth's atmosphere forms a trail that creates fiery, colorful streaks in the sky, according to NASA.

— Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 21 July 2026
In some organizations, aging infrastructure collides with new security requirements.

— Bob Venero, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

Definition of collides

Noun

This week, an over-the-hill Kevin Hart, (pickleball) court battles, and Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie (and its related series), among others, demand your attention.

— Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 24 July 2026
These individuals are already fighting some of the most difficult battles of their lives.

— Jigar Thakkar, Forbes.com, 23 July 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