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
Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 30 Apr. 2026
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
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
James Ward, USA Today, 15 May 2026
Andrade is used to clashing with the DeSantis administration.
—Gray Rohrer, Sun Sentinel, 15 May 2026
Kamoutsas is also known for targeting K-12 school district officials over books in school libraries and clashing with union leaders.
—Lucy Marques, Miami Herald, 13 May 2026
Two other suspects escaped after clashing with security forces, the ministry said in a statement carried by the Kuna state news agency.
—CBS News, 12 May 2026
Beige With Yellow Undertones Beige tones with yellow bases can end up making the exterior of your home look dingy and dirty, clashing easily with any surrounding greenery.
—Asia London Palomba, The Spruce, 12 May 2026
Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum and the visiting president of the Madrid regional government Isabel Díaz Ayuso had been clashing mainly over politics, ideology and Spain’s colonial legacy in Latin America.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 10 May 2026
Iran’s political spectrum has long been divided, with its leaders clashing over state policies and varying approaches to the West.
—Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 9 May 2026
Armed police stood outside, clashing at one point with protesters, the Times reported.
—News Desk, Artforum, 8 May 2026
Adjective
Choose natural, complementary colors to avoid overwhelming or clashing designs.
—Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 30 Apr. 2026
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
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
James Ward Thursday night’s California governor debate underscored just how unsettled — and contentious — the race has become, with candidates repeatedly clashing over crime, election integrity, reproductive rights, and the balance of power between state and local government.
—James Ward, USA Today, 15 May 2026
Andrade is used to clashing with the DeSantis administration.
—Gray Rohrer, Sun Sentinel, 15 May 2026
Kamoutsas is also known for targeting K-12 school district officials over books in school libraries and clashing with union leaders.
—Lucy Marques, Miami Herald, 13 May 2026
Two other suspects escaped after clashing with security forces, the ministry said in a statement carried by the Kuna state news agency.
—CBS News, 12 May 2026
Beige With Yellow Undertones Beige tones with yellow bases can end up making the exterior of your home look dingy and dirty, clashing easily with any surrounding greenery.
—Asia London Palomba, The Spruce, 12 May 2026
Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum and the visiting president of the Madrid regional government Isabel Díaz Ayuso had been clashing mainly over politics, ideology and Spain’s colonial legacy in Latin America.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 10 May 2026
Iran’s political spectrum has long been divided, with its leaders clashing over state policies and varying approaches to the West.
—Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 9 May 2026
Armed police stood outside, clashing at one point with protesters, the Times reported.
—News Desk, Artforum, 8 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clashing
Adjective
-
Poor communication between teams pursuing conflicting goals, actions that contradict core objectives, failing oversight and any number of other wire-crossings can have serious consequences.—
Paul Fitzgerald,
Rolling Stone,
14 May 2026
-
Both the union and company have made conflicting statements since then, saying the other has refused to meet.—
Maya Wilkins,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
Verb
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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,
12 May 2026
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The trailers lean hard into cinephile in-jokes, typically riffing on film history before colliding those references with the realities of running a defiantly non-mainstream festival.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
12 May 2026
Adjective
-
The inconsistent role wreaked havoc with his shot.—
Jon Krawczynski,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
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Approval processes often depend on manual back-and-forth, while visibility beyond tier one suppliers is inconsistent at best.—
Alex Saric,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clashing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clashing. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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