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
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
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
Their clashing and differing personalities prove to be a source of flirtation, which any Capricorn can see by reading between the lines.
—Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
Its battery can be positioned to avoid clashing with backpack frames, allowing users to move naturally while carrying larger loads.
—New Atlas, 30 Mar. 2026
The debate has grown personal and heated, with figures like Tucker Carlson and Megyn Kelly clashing publicly with Levin and other pro‑war voices.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
In the late afternoon, a small group of protesters began clashing with authorities outside the Metropolitan Detention Center, the site of other protests in recent months and where ICE holds detainees.
—Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 30 Mar. 2026
In the 1990s, the company laid off a third of its workforce and was days away from bankruptcy before the return of Jobs, who left the company in 1985 after clashing with the board and then-Chief Executive John Sculley.
—Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2026
Played in full, Silent Way induces a pervasive nausea, reveling in gawky soundscapes that seem barely able to contain their outsized, clashing ideas.
—Maxie Younger, Pitchfork, 27 Mar. 2026
Homes, shops, and temples express individual identities, sometimes clashing, often improvised, yet always alive.
—Big Think, 20 Mar. 2026
Some protesters also have worn masks while clashing with immigration agents.
—Arkansas Online, 20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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
Their clashing and differing personalities prove to be a source of flirtation, which any Capricorn can see by reading between the lines.
—Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
Walker, 32, appeared as a senior deckhand on the Bravo show before he was demoted by fellow cast member Kelley Johnson after clashing with coworkers.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
Its battery can be positioned to avoid clashing with backpack frames, allowing users to move naturally while carrying larger loads.
—New Atlas, 30 Mar. 2026
The debate has grown personal and heated, with figures like Tucker Carlson and Megyn Kelly clashing publicly with Levin and other pro‑war voices.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
In the late afternoon, a small group of protesters began clashing with authorities outside the Metropolitan Detention Center, the site of other protests in recent months and where ICE holds detainees.
—Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 30 Mar. 2026
In the 1990s, the company laid off a third of its workforce and was days away from bankruptcy before the return of Jobs, who left the company in 1985 after clashing with the board and then-Chief Executive John Sculley.
—Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2026
Played in full, Silent Way induces a pervasive nausea, reveling in gawky soundscapes that seem barely able to contain their outsized, clashing ideas.
—Maxie Younger, Pitchfork, 27 Mar. 2026
Homes, shops, and temples express individual identities, sometimes clashing, often improvised, yet always alive.
—Big Think, 20 Mar. 2026
Some protesters also have worn masks while clashing with immigration agents.
—Arkansas Online, 20 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clashing
Adjective
-
Following the events of A Palace Near the Wind, Liu Lufeng and her siblings flee the Palace for the dangerous waters, which contain rebels, allies, and her sister Sangshu—though Sangshu’s conflicting loyalties may clash with Lufeng’s plan to keep them all safe.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The legal conversation is settled, and far more explicit than other consequential decisions in which the court must weigh potentially conflicting precedents and nebulous congressional intent.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Once stationary, turn off all lights except the hazard flashers, engage the emergency brake, and release the brake pedal to ensure your tail lights are not illuminated, reducing the risk of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Dash cam video showed the bus initially colliding with the dump truck.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The veteran forward spent the previous 3 1/2 seasons with the Ducks, but struggled to produce during inconsistent playing time from Quenneville before his departure at the deadline.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
After an inconsistent season as a pitcher last spring, Gluting is ready to break out in that aspect of the game as well.—
Paul Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clashing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clashing. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
