CLASHING Synonyms: 65 Similar and Opposite Words

clashing 1 of 2

adjective

as in conflicting

not being in agreement or harmony freedom and equality are often a clashing set of ideals

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

clashing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of clash

as in colliding

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

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 clashing

Adjective

Another trend that stood out was mixed and clashing prints, creating a more playful approach to styling. — Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2026 The discrepancy between official accounts indicates clashing priorities that could hinder further negotiations between Washington and Seoul. — Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026 Vargo’s recent party switch and her clashing political mailers — some reading as if made for Democrats and others for Republican voters — prompted the local Democratic party to back her opponent, Patricia Rumph, a lifelong Democrat. — Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026 That creates a stronger feedback loop in which the algorithm more strongly presents clashing posts. — Farnaz Jahanbakhsh, The Conversation, 20 Aug. 2026 The Los Angeles actor captures the easygoing professionalism that often places him between the clashing personalities of Shaw and Dreyfuss. — Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026 The original room also has mannequins showing off fashion-forward outfits from the winners of the Liberty Fabrics x Graduate Fashion Foundation Competition, with lots of lovely clashing patterns and textures. — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 23 July 2026 If your bathroom feels busy or dated thanks to clashing finishes, consider painting everything in one rich, moody hue like charcoal, navy, or slate. — Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 8 July 2026 The cornerstone of Boards classics is a blurring retrofuturism achieved via swirling and clashing sample, synth, and guitar textures. — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 8 July 2026

Verb

On their third album this year, the New Orleans garage rockers embrace conflicting emotions and clashing sounds, balancing hard-charging rave-ups with exploratory tape experiments. — Stuart Berman, Pitchfork, 5 Nov. 2026 El-Sayed narrowly defeated Stevens in the August primary after months of clashing over policy, including the United States’ relationship with Israel. — Erin Cox, Washington Post, 1 Nov. 2026 Protesters also targeted Rama’s ruling Socialist Party headquarters in Tirana, clashing with riot police deployed to protect the property. — Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2026 Anderson retired in May 2025 after clashing publicly with Taylor over bail reform measures. — Wendi C. Thomas, ProPublica, 26 Oct. 2026 Protests last week devolved into mayhem, with people setting fires, storming public buildings, smashing shop windows, looting and clashing with police. — Elitsa Gadeva, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026 Aside from clashing over national topics like tariffs, the Iran war, artificial intelligence and Social Security, the candidates were asked about jobs in Michigan, the auto industry and education. — Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026 Sunday Rose’s and Gaghan’s rugged Miu Miu hiking boots add another dimension to their sweet, power-clashing sets. — Heidi Julavits, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026 Reports indicate that several hundred protesters followed that directive, arriving in downtown Milan and, eventually, clashing with police. — Chiara Pizzimenti, Vanity Fair, 18 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for clashing

Adjective

Aaron Kesselheim, a physician and a professor at Harvard Medical School, spent two weeks studying the conflicting results before the committee met, remotely, on November 6, 2020.

— Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026
To that end, Eaton cites ongoing litigation involving college athletes and former college athletes seeking to extend their collegiate careers, with conflicting court decisions, as evidence the topic raises debatable interpretations of the law.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 2 Nov. 2026