as in conflicting
not being in agreement or harmony
freedom and equality are often a clashing set of ideals
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of clashing
Jan Camenzind Broomby, NPR, 2 Sep. 2025
Advertisement These questions, coupled with the clashing advice from federal agencies and medical groups, will likely fuel a decline in vaccination rates, says Schaffner.
—Dominique Mosbergen, Time, 28 Aug. 2025
Sabrina Impacciatore and Domhnall Gleeson play clashing newsroom editors on The Paper, Peacock's upcoming comedy set in the same universe as the 2005 cult sitcom The Office.
—EW.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Bold, sometimes clashing prints, electric colors, and sculptural shoulder pads all appeared on the runways — reworked into fresh, wearable takes that made the decade’s more over-the-top elements feel exciting again.
—Jalil Johnson, Refinery29, 13 Aug. 2025
Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
The Iraqi prime minister at the time, Nuri al-Maliki, was a Shiite sectarian with close ties to Iran, and many of his fellow Shia thought he could be relied on to listen to Iran’s wishes and find a way to avoid clashing with an Iranian proxy militia.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
Club captain Robert Andrich questioned his teammates’ commitment after a 3-3 draw against Werder Bremen on Saturday, while ten Hag fumed at his players for clashing on the pitch while debating who would take a penalty.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025
Do keep in mind, though, that with Mars also clashing with Pluto on the same day, there is a need for courage and integrity, as shake-ups are inevitable.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Anadolu via Getty Images Indonesian shares slumped and the rupiah weakened as anti-government protests in Jakarta intensified, with thousands of workers demanding higher wages and lower taxes clashing with the police near the parliament building.
—Ardian Wibisono, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
The confusion stems from shifting federal vaccine recommendations, clashing guidance from medical groups, and the uncertainty of how doctors, pharmacies, insurance companies, and everyday people will navigate it all.
—Dominique Mosbergen, Time, 28 Aug. 2025
Former Most Precious Blood parishioners said the fracture within the church since Ciucci was installed four years ago — in part because of more progressive Catholics clashing with a traditionalist priest — represents a microcosm of what’s happening within the local archdiocese.
—Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 22 Aug. 2025
Long has already been fired after clashing with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
—Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
In northern Taipei, the Taiwanese capital, the island's National Revolutionary Martyrs' Shrine is a reminder of these clashing historical narratives.
—Jan Camenzind Broomby, NPR, 2 Sep. 2025
Advertisement These questions, coupled with the clashing advice from federal agencies and medical groups, will likely fuel a decline in vaccination rates, says Schaffner.
—Dominique Mosbergen, Time, 28 Aug. 2025
Sabrina Impacciatore and Domhnall Gleeson play clashing newsroom editors on The Paper, Peacock's upcoming comedy set in the same universe as the 2005 cult sitcom The Office.
—EW.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Bold, sometimes clashing prints, electric colors, and sculptural shoulder pads all appeared on the runways — reworked into fresh, wearable takes that made the decade’s more over-the-top elements feel exciting again.
—Jalil Johnson, Refinery29, 13 Aug. 2025
Verb
Dixie will raise the temperature clashing with Blythe Hart (Jessica Capshaw), the wife of Nashville Fire Capt.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
The Iraqi prime minister at the time, Nuri al-Maliki, was a Shiite sectarian with close ties to Iran, and many of his fellow Shia thought he could be relied on to listen to Iran’s wishes and find a way to avoid clashing with an Iranian proxy militia.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
Club captain Robert Andrich questioned his teammates’ commitment after a 3-3 draw against Werder Bremen on Saturday, while ten Hag fumed at his players for clashing on the pitch while debating who would take a penalty.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025
Do keep in mind, though, that with Mars also clashing with Pluto on the same day, there is a need for courage and integrity, as shake-ups are inevitable.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Anadolu via Getty Images Indonesian shares slumped and the rupiah weakened as anti-government protests in Jakarta intensified, with thousands of workers demanding higher wages and lower taxes clashing with the police near the parliament building.
—Ardian Wibisono, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
The confusion stems from shifting federal vaccine recommendations, clashing guidance from medical groups, and the uncertainty of how doctors, pharmacies, insurance companies, and everyday people will navigate it all.
—Dominique Mosbergen, Time, 28 Aug. 2025
Former Most Precious Blood parishioners said the fracture within the church since Ciucci was installed four years ago — in part because of more progressive Catholics clashing with a traditionalist priest — represents a microcosm of what’s happening within the local archdiocese.
—Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 22 Aug. 2025
Long has already been fired after clashing with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
—Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clashing
Adjective
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Research on beta blockers shows conflicting results Two major studies disagreed over the impacts of beta blockers for heart attack patients.—
Brendan Ruberry,
semafor.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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The two survivors’ accounts don’t match up, suggesting a longer version would unfold like Kurosawa’s Roshomon, from multiple, conflicting points of view.—
Charlie Fink,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The two colliding galaxies, NGC 5713 and NGC 5179, are located 88 million light-years from Earth.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
22 Aug. 2025
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The van struck several small trees and traveled down an embankment before colliding with a large tree, Knox said.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Too inconsistent for Andoni Iraola’s liking, only averaging a goal or assist every 175 minutes in all competitions last season, his talent isn’t in doubt, but can Keith Andrews turn Brentford’s record signing into a top-level Premier League player?—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
2 Sep. 2025
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The combination of his age, declining offensive efficiency, high-volume turnovers and inconsistent play likely plays a factor.—
Ricardo Klein,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clashing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clashing. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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