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
Virginia Barreda, Des Moines Register, 3 June 2026
The clashing magnetic fields of a white dwarf star and its neighboring red dwarf star are the source of signals from space that have remained a puzzle for over 20 years, radio astronomers in Australia have found.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 2 June 2026
In addition to their clashing color combinations, both shoes use different materials for two truly distinct looks.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 24 May 2026
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
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
Jenny Vaughan, semafor.com, 17 June 2026
Royal sources previously reported that Kate and William had been clashing over the plan for years, but the Palace revealed that the future king will be following in his dad’s footsteps (and royal tradition) come September in a new statement.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 16 June 2026
Cynthia goes down the list of people Shamea is clashing with and, as usual, all roads lead to Porsha.
—Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 15 June 2026
Soon after, tens of thousands of people filled the streets and the rowdiest among them were clashing with police, smashing windshields, scaling scaffolding, light poles and a statue, climbing into and atop school buses in Times Square and trying to hitch a ride on a moving fire truck.
—Michael R. Sisak, Fortune, 15 June 2026
Soon after, tens of thousands of people filled the streets and the rowdiest among them were clashing with police, smashing windshields, scaling scaffolding, light poles and a statue, climbing into and atop school buses in Times Square and trying to hitch a ride on a moving fire truck.
—Michael R. Sisak, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026
Soon after, rowdy fans were clashing with police, smashing windshields, scaling scaffolding, light poles and a statue, climbing into and atop school buses in Times Square and trying to hitch a ride on a moving fire truck.
—ABC News, 14 June 2026
Test paint colors in your space under various lighting conditions to avoid clashing undertones or unexpected shifts.
—Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 June 2026
Weather service meteorologist Frank Pereira said the system that produced the storms, including high winds and hail, was moving eastward Thursday, fueled by cool air from Canada clashing with warm, humid air from the South.
—CBS News, 12 June 2026
Adjective
The election follows Hockensmith's decision to step away from the board due to clashing personalities and policy choices.
—Virginia Barreda, Des Moines Register, 3 June 2026
The clashing magnetic fields of a white dwarf star and its neighboring red dwarf star are the source of signals from space that have remained a puzzle for over 20 years, radio astronomers in Australia have found.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 2 June 2026
In addition to their clashing color combinations, both shoes use different materials for two truly distinct looks.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 24 May 2026
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
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
Verb
While premier, Sonko had ruled out negotiating with the international lender, clashing with Senegal’s president in a row that prompted his dismissal.
—Jenny Vaughan, semafor.com, 17 June 2026
Royal sources previously reported that Kate and William had been clashing over the plan for years, but the Palace revealed that the future king will be following in his dad’s footsteps (and royal tradition) come September in a new statement.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 16 June 2026
Cynthia goes down the list of people Shamea is clashing with and, as usual, all roads lead to Porsha.
—Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 15 June 2026
Soon after, tens of thousands of people filled the streets and the rowdiest among them were clashing with police, smashing windshields, scaling scaffolding, light poles and a statue, climbing into and atop school buses in Times Square and trying to hitch a ride on a moving fire truck.
—Michael R. Sisak, Fortune, 15 June 2026
Soon after, tens of thousands of people filled the streets and the rowdiest among them were clashing with police, smashing windshields, scaling scaffolding, light poles and a statue, climbing into and atop school buses in Times Square and trying to hitch a ride on a moving fire truck.
—Michael R. Sisak, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026
Soon after, rowdy fans were clashing with police, smashing windshields, scaling scaffolding, light poles and a statue, climbing into and atop school buses in Times Square and trying to hitch a ride on a moving fire truck.
—ABC News, 14 June 2026
Test paint colors in your space under various lighting conditions to avoid clashing undertones or unexpected shifts.
—Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 June 2026
Weather service meteorologist Frank Pereira said the system that produced the storms, including high winds and hail, was moving eastward Thursday, fueled by cool air from Canada clashing with warm, humid air from the South.
—CBS News, 12 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clashing
Adjective
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County election officials have received conflicting advice about how to count votes in case the legislature fails to extend the deadline or implement a new voting system.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 June 2026
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Yet decades of conflicting messages about hormone therapy have left many women uncertain about what to believe.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Flow Space,
17 June 2026
Verb
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He was found dead at a villa with head injuries after a night out, local outlet Majorca Daily Bulletin reported at the time, and he was believed to have died after colliding with a glass window.—
Julia Moore,
PEOPLE,
16 June 2026
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Sports and fashion are colliding in a major way this season (hello, World cup), and the style set is fully embracing the trend.—
Amanda Le,
InStyle,
15 June 2026
Adjective
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Debra Shore, a former administrator of the EPA’s Midwestern office who lives part time in Michigan City, said the federal proposal could create inconsistent protections throughout the Great Lakes — notably neighboring states like Indiana and Illinois.—
Christiana Freitag,
Chicago Tribune,
13 June 2026
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The zipper merge also helps vehicles avoid coming to a complete stop, which can lead to sudden lane switching, inconsistent driving speeds that cause crashes, long back-ups and road rage.—
Rashad Alexander,
Kansas City Star,
13 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clashing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clashing. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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