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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of clashing
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
In the countersuit, Range tells a clashing version of events over the departures of ex-CAA employees Jack Whigham, Dave Bugliari, Michael Cooper and Mick Sullivan for the management firm.
—Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 25 Nov. 2025
Hondo must bridge a generational divide, navigate clashing personalities, and turn a squad of outsiders into a team capable of protecting the city and saving the program.
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2025
There was the leather craftsmanship of Leo Prothmann to the quiet and clashing elegance of Nanushka.
—Violet Goldstone, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2025
The reason for the Fed’s tentative steps is its two primary and potentially clashing mandates — maximum sustainable employment and price stability.
—Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 20 Sep. 2025
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
Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 29 Jan. 2026
Last week Wisconsin Watch asked for your questions about immigration enforcement in Wisconsin, particularly as thousands of federal immigration agents patrol Minnesota’s Twin Cities, conducting door-to-door searches for immigrants and clashing daily with protesters and observers.
—Paul Kiefer, jsonline.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Maul will be clashing with the Empire's Inquisitors, stormtroopers, and Lawson's police force, but the wildcard here might be Devon, a young Jedi who needs to adapt after the Empire has taken over.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 27 Jan. 2026
The Moon and Jupiter are clashing, which could cause some tension, but could also benefit your energy levels.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026
The video includes brief clips of federal officers clashing with protesters.
—Steve Karnowski, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2026
The two spent years clashing on the hardcourt as stalwart defenders and elite shooters are wont to do.
—Mike Dojc, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
By Kate Duffy and Leen Al-Rashdan, Bloomberg The online brawl between Elon Musk and Ryanair Holdings Plc dragged into a second week, with the world’s richest man again floating the idea of buying the airline after clashing with its chief executive officer.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 20 Jan. 2026
But developers are clashing with neighbors who don’t want them next door.
—Sarah Henry, AZCentral.com, 19 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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
In the countersuit, Range tells a clashing version of events over the departures of ex-CAA employees Jack Whigham, Dave Bugliari, Michael Cooper and Mick Sullivan for the management firm.
—Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 25 Nov. 2025
Hondo must bridge a generational divide, navigate clashing personalities, and turn a squad of outsiders into a team capable of protecting the city and saving the program.
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2025
There was the leather craftsmanship of Leo Prothmann to the quiet and clashing elegance of Nanushka.
—Violet Goldstone, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2025
The reason for the Fed’s tentative steps is its two primary and potentially clashing mandates — maximum sustainable employment and price stability.
—Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 20 Sep. 2025
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
Verb
Some are calling it the Boom Boom era of fashion — where the ‘80s doctrine of fur, clashing prints and a greedy, more-is-more approach to dressing feels like a fun cosplay opportunity during an otherwise bleak economic, political and social reality.
—Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 29 Jan. 2026
Last week Wisconsin Watch asked for your questions about immigration enforcement in Wisconsin, particularly as thousands of federal immigration agents patrol Minnesota’s Twin Cities, conducting door-to-door searches for immigrants and clashing daily with protesters and observers.
—Paul Kiefer, jsonline.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Maul will be clashing with the Empire's Inquisitors, stormtroopers, and Lawson's police force, but the wildcard here might be Devon, a young Jedi who needs to adapt after the Empire has taken over.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 27 Jan. 2026
The Moon and Jupiter are clashing, which could cause some tension, but could also benefit your energy levels.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026
The video includes brief clips of federal officers clashing with protesters.
—Steve Karnowski, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2026
The two spent years clashing on the hardcourt as stalwart defenders and elite shooters are wont to do.
—Mike Dojc, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
By Kate Duffy and Leen Al-Rashdan, Bloomberg The online brawl between Elon Musk and Ryanair Holdings Plc dragged into a second week, with the world’s richest man again floating the idea of buying the airline after clashing with its chief executive officer.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 20 Jan. 2026
But developers are clashing with neighbors who don’t want them next door.
—Sarah Henry, AZCentral.com, 19 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clashing
Adjective
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Wuthering Heights is a dark and gothic tale of destructive, obsessive, conflicting romance.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
29 Jan. 2026
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Lawyers representing the student argue that her First Amendment rights were wrongly infringed upon and that the previous court rulings relied on conflicting and overly broad precedents.—
Cate Charron,
IndyStar,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Even after colliding with Bradley on his first day as CEO and promptly spitting a tuna fish sandwich on him, Linda remains quietly glamorous and adorable.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
26 Jan. 2026
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In December 1987, the ferry Dona Paz sank after colliding with a fuel tanker off the central Philippines, killing more than 4,300 people in the world’s worst peacetime maritime disaster.—
Jim Gomez,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Harlem tenants say the heat in their building has been inconsistent for weeks as a dangerous cold spell grips New York City.—
Kristie Keleshian,
CBS News,
31 Jan. 2026
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Injuries appeared inconsistent with ICE account The AP interviewed a doctor and five nurses who work at Hennepin County Medical Center who spoke on condition of anonymity to talk about Castañeda Mondragón’s case and conditions inside the hospital.—
Jack Brook,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clashing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clashing. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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