as in conflicting
not being in agreement or harmony
freedom and equality are often a clashing set of ideals
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
James O. Cunningham, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026
On his first album for his own Plastic & Sounds label, the Japanese producer sounds pricklier than ever, lacing hypnotic house and techno with microtonal dissonance and clashing textures.
—Maxie Younger, Pitchfork, 27 Mar. 2026
Over the years, my sisters and I have struggled through clashing personalities, intense disagreements and wonky power dynamics.
—Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2026
In addition to the storm of clashing superheroes and their evil intergalactic foes, this upcoming outing will introduce a trio of new antagonists called Thragg, Dinosaurus, and Universa.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 25 Feb. 2026
Shades that are distinctly different give more visual interest in a room and won't verge on clashing or too matchy-matchy.
—Melissa Epifano, The Spruce, 22 Feb. 2026
Avoid trendy or clashing colors and instead opt for timeless, natural tones with dimension; consider roof slope and visibility to match style with practicality.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 19 Feb. 2026
Sarah Staudinger’s latest collection for Staud had a distinct nod to the era through new slip dressing; clashing, playful prints; unexpected color pairings on simple knits and sportif layers, and minimalist outerwear.
—James Manso, Footwear News, 18 Feb. 2026
Come to think of it, a few especially forceful personalities fueled much of the clashing college curmudgeons economy.
—Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Apr. 2026
Having moved to a Spring date to avoid clashing with World Cup soccer games, FICG runs April 17- 25 this year.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 17 Apr. 2026
Last fall, Porter went viral for clashing with a journalist, and then days later, videos emerged of her berating staffers.
—Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 17 Apr. 2026
Industry insiders suggest the feud stems from clashing business interests and contract disputes, not personal drama, as the two have been trading subtle online jabs for months.
—Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026
Despite their military presence and clashing interests, Turkey and Israel have a quiet understanding where each accepts the other's sphere of influence in the country and try to deconflict.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2026
The comments from von der Leyen and Metsola are not surprising – Orbán has been a massive pain for the European Union for most of his 16 years in power, clashing with Brussels over an array of issues.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 12 Apr. 2026
Embrace your inner maximalist by juxtaposing a figure-hugging bodysuit and skirt in clashing prints.
—Kevin Huynh, InStyle, 12 Apr. 2026
Sleek, sturdy and stylish—this wooden‑base cat tree gives your cat a cozy place to climb, scratch and lounge without clashing with your home décor.
—Kasey Caminiti, USA Today, 11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
The clashing worldviews of secularism and Christianity are not simply competing outlooks — as though one were merely better than the other.
—James O. Cunningham, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026
On his first album for his own Plastic & Sounds label, the Japanese producer sounds pricklier than ever, lacing hypnotic house and techno with microtonal dissonance and clashing textures.
—Maxie Younger, Pitchfork, 27 Mar. 2026
Over the years, my sisters and I have struggled through clashing personalities, intense disagreements and wonky power dynamics.
—Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2026
In addition to the storm of clashing superheroes and their evil intergalactic foes, this upcoming outing will introduce a trio of new antagonists called Thragg, Dinosaurus, and Universa.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 25 Feb. 2026
Shades that are distinctly different give more visual interest in a room and won't verge on clashing or too matchy-matchy.
—Melissa Epifano, The Spruce, 22 Feb. 2026
Avoid trendy or clashing colors and instead opt for timeless, natural tones with dimension; consider roof slope and visibility to match style with practicality.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 19 Feb. 2026
Sarah Staudinger’s latest collection for Staud had a distinct nod to the era through new slip dressing; clashing, playful prints; unexpected color pairings on simple knits and sportif layers, and minimalist outerwear.
—James Manso, Footwear News, 18 Feb. 2026
Come to think of it, a few especially forceful personalities fueled much of the clashing college curmudgeons economy.
—Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Verb
Arlington voters will choose a new mayor from a field that includes incumbent Jim Ross, developer Steve Cavender, law librarian Hunter Crow and Shaun Mallory, with candidates clashing over a $25 million budget deficit, property tax increases and World Cup preparedness.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Apr. 2026
Having moved to a Spring date to avoid clashing with World Cup soccer games, FICG runs April 17- 25 this year.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 17 Apr. 2026
Last fall, Porter went viral for clashing with a journalist, and then days later, videos emerged of her berating staffers.
—Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 17 Apr. 2026
Industry insiders suggest the feud stems from clashing business interests and contract disputes, not personal drama, as the two have been trading subtle online jabs for months.
—Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026
Despite their military presence and clashing interests, Turkey and Israel have a quiet understanding where each accepts the other's sphere of influence in the country and try to deconflict.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2026
The comments from von der Leyen and Metsola are not surprising – Orbán has been a massive pain for the European Union for most of his 16 years in power, clashing with Brussels over an array of issues.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 12 Apr. 2026
Embrace your inner maximalist by juxtaposing a figure-hugging bodysuit and skirt in clashing prints.
—Kevin Huynh, InStyle, 12 Apr. 2026
Sleek, sturdy and stylish—this wooden‑base cat tree gives your cat a cozy place to climb, scratch and lounge without clashing with your home décor.
—Kasey Caminiti, USA Today, 11 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clashing
Adjective
-
There are like three conflicting things.—
Mike Ryan,
IndieWire,
22 Apr. 2026
-
The idea was that enough conflicting information would tire people out.—
Lauren Cassidy,
The Conversation,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Two Southwest Airlines planes had to take evasive action to avoid colliding Saturday in Nashville, Tennessee, after an air traffic controller directed one pilot to turn into the path of the other plane.—
Josh Funk,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
-
But the push is already colliding with reality.—
Catherine Thorbecke,
Boston Herald,
18 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In addition to reinforcing the fiduciary standards that are already in place for community associations, this will help to establish stronger grounds for claims involving unilateral acts by directors, inadequate reserve planning, inconsistent rules enforcement, or failures in management oversight.—
Evonne Andris,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
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Maybe—but the effects are likely to be modest and inconsistent.—
Patricia Weiser,
Verywell Health,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clashing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clashing. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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