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
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
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
Tax reform in Platte County is something Fricker has been pushing for throughout his tenure as property values continue to rise, at times clashing with the Missouri State Tax Commission over the matter.
—Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 18 Jan. 2026
Good's death sparked demonstrations in Minneapolis that included protesters clashing with federal agents.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 15 Jan. 2026
The unrest soon spread to universities and provincial cities, with young men clashing with security forces.
—Greg Norman-Diamond, FOXNews.com, 13 Jan. 2026
In his study on form, Mayner sought to highlight clashing contrasts among different outfits and within each of them.
—Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 13 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
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
Tax reform in Platte County is something Fricker has been pushing for throughout his tenure as property values continue to rise, at times clashing with the Missouri State Tax Commission over the matter.
—Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 18 Jan. 2026
Good's death sparked demonstrations in Minneapolis that included protesters clashing with federal agents.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 15 Jan. 2026
The unrest soon spread to universities and provincial cities, with young men clashing with security forces.
—Greg Norman-Diamond, FOXNews.com, 13 Jan. 2026
In his study on form, Mayner sought to highlight clashing contrasts among different outfits and within each of them.
—Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 13 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clashing
Adjective
-
There are conflicting reports as to how many users this affects.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
18 Jan. 2026
-
In the meantime, protesters were receiving conflicting directives from authorities.—
Laura Daniella Sepulveda,
AZCentral.com,
17 Jan. 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.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Both stars were game-time decisions but started, as did veteran guard Marcus Smart, who left the game in the fourth quarter the previous night after colliding with other players in a loss to the Portland Trailblazers.—
Janis Carr,
Oc Register,
19 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Andrademembreno’s attorney, Paul Rogers, argued that Berrios lied and pointed to multiple inconsistent statements to authorities and prosecutors and in her testimony.—
City News Service,
Oc Register,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Trump proved to be a vexing ideological lodestar—aggressively anti-intellectual in his attitudes and consistently inconsistent in his views.—
Jason Zengerle,
New Yorker,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clashing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clashing. Accessed 27 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
