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
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
The motives driving a revolution might be ideological, clashing ethnic or tribal identities, competition for wealth, or a combination of all these.
—Ian Bremmer, Time, 28 Dec. 2025
Telling the story of the clashing egos and raging idiocy of the fictional Spinal Tap, Reiner both directed and starred as the filmmaker-within-the-film Marty DiBergi.
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 15 Dec. 2025
Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2026
In one of the year’s biggest controversies at the state Capitol, parents and legislators are clashing in a bitter battle over tighter oversight regulations on homeschooling families.
—Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2026
In clashing closing arguments, Zambrano and Ye’s lawyer, Andrew Cherkasky, offered starkly different interpretations of the evidence.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 9 Mar. 2026
Traditionally held on the third Sunday in March, this year’s race got moved up one week to avoid clashing with the Oscars, which will be held on March 15 at the Dolby Theatre along the race route.
—Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026
New York City police said suspicious devices were ignited Saturday during clashing protests outside Gracie Mansion, the official residence of Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Manhattan's Upper East Side.
—Andrew Ramos, CBS News, 7 Mar. 2026
These modern takes on bright red will still provide warmth and drama to the room without overwhelming the space or clashing with other design elements.
—Tessa Cooper, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2026
Capes, fearless pattern clashing, and polished leather accessories defined Milan Fashion Week street style.
—Amanda Le, InStyle, 4 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance’s role in selling a war in Iran is clashing with both his experience as an Iraq War veteran and anti-interventionist views.
—Marissa Martinez, NBC news, 4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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
The motives driving a revolution might be ideological, clashing ethnic or tribal identities, competition for wealth, or a combination of all these.
—Ian Bremmer, Time, 28 Dec. 2025
Telling the story of the clashing egos and raging idiocy of the fictional Spinal Tap, Reiner both directed and starred as the filmmaker-within-the-film Marty DiBergi.
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 15 Dec. 2025
Verb
Luna then squares restrictive Saturn, potentially challenging our patience — especially if expectations are clashing with reality.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2026
In one of the year’s biggest controversies at the state Capitol, parents and legislators are clashing in a bitter battle over tighter oversight regulations on homeschooling families.
—Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2026
In clashing closing arguments, Zambrano and Ye’s lawyer, Andrew Cherkasky, offered starkly different interpretations of the evidence.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 9 Mar. 2026
Traditionally held on the third Sunday in March, this year’s race got moved up one week to avoid clashing with the Oscars, which will be held on March 15 at the Dolby Theatre along the race route.
—Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026
New York City police said suspicious devices were ignited Saturday during clashing protests outside Gracie Mansion, the official residence of Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Manhattan's Upper East Side.
—Andrew Ramos, CBS News, 7 Mar. 2026
These modern takes on bright red will still provide warmth and drama to the room without overwhelming the space or clashing with other design elements.
—Tessa Cooper, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2026
Capes, fearless pattern clashing, and polished leather accessories defined Milan Fashion Week street style.
—Amanda Le, InStyle, 4 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance’s role in selling a war in Iran is clashing with both his experience as an Iraq War veteran and anti-interventionist views.
—Marissa Martinez, NBC news, 4 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clashing
Adjective
-
Nothing is certain, except the fact that the President is floundering, making conflicting statements from one day to the next about how long the war will last.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Is the working wife torn between conflicting loyalties?—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
These storms are forming because warm, moist air surging north from the Gulf of Mexico is colliding with a strong cold front and upper-level storm system moving in from the Plains, creating atmospheric instability.—
Karen Carter,
CBS News,
10 Mar. 2026
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Once stationary, deactivate all lights except the hazard flashers, engage the emergency brake, and release the brake pedal to ensure your tail lights remain unlit, minimizing the chance of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The Horned Frogs are undersized at guard and in the frontcourt, their offense can often be inconsistent with its ability to shoot from outside, and the rotation really goes only about seven deep.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Mar. 2026
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But immigration lawyers say the Department of Homeland Security’s adherence to that limit has been wildly inconsistent over the past year.—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clashing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clashing. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
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