Synonym Chooser

How is the word collision different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of collision are concussion, impact, and shock. While all these words mean "a forceful, even violent contact between two or more things," collision implies the coming together of two or more things with such force that both or all are damaged or their progress is severely impeded.

the collision damaged the vehicle

In what contexts can concussion take the place of collision?

The synonyms concussion and collision are sometimes interchangeable, but concussion when not in technical use, often suggests the shattering, disrupting, or weakening effects of a collision, explosion, or blow.

bystanders felt the concussion of the blast

When could impact be used to replace collision?

In some situations, the words impact and collision are roughly equivalent. However, impact may be used to imply contact between two things, at least one of which is impelled toward the other.

the glass shattered on impact with the floor

When might shock be a better fit than collision?

The words shock and collision are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, shock often denotes the effect produced by a collision and carries the suggestion of something that strikes or hits with force.

the shock of falling rocks

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 collision The collision hurls Keevik toward me, nearly tossing me into the water. Chloe Berge, AFAR Media, 15 Oct. 2025 Globally, whale sharks are considered endangered and threatened by overfishing, marine pollution and collisions, park officials said in the Facebook post. Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2025 Another sheriff’s deputy who responded to the collision spotted blood seeping from the truck, leading to the discovery of the victim’s body, Moore said. City News Service, Oc Register, 15 Oct. 2025 And they’re involved in this very slow-motion collision toward each other that ends up in this volcanic explosion on an island very far from home. Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for collision
Recent Examples of Synonyms for collision
Noun
  • After the crash, the SUV was reportedly struck by a tractor-trailer that was traveling in the right lane behind the vehicle.
    Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Five people were killed and one was injured in five vehicle crashes on Arkansas roads from Saturday through Wednesday, according to preliminary police reports.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • In the film, a tragic accident sends Kenna (Monroe) to prison and causes the death of her boyfriend Scotty (Outer Banks star Rudy Pankow).
    Benjamin VanHoose, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
  • The Pitch Perfect star recently looked back on how a brutal cement truck accident abruptly altered his plans for the future, and how going through puberty shortly thereafter altered them yet again.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Car companies faced inflationary concerns, followed by shocks tied to tariffs and subsequent supply chain ramifications.
    Alex Harring, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Our team will deliver a film that shocks, thrills and stands out.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The initial stretch spans four congested, wreck-prone miles of Interstate 85, The Charlotte Observer previously reported.
    Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Watching over Arj is an angel named Gabriel, whose duty is to keep people who text and drive from getting in a wreck.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • During his postgame news conference, Napier had a thankful message for the crowd, thanking them for making a positive impact on his players on the field.
    Jordan Sigler, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Given that the mobile phone is the typical livestreaming device, that also had an impact on the film and its format.
    Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 18 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Man, that jolt felt like Emmanuel Sanders streaking down the sidelines at Cleveland.
    Troy Renck, Denver Post, 20 Oct. 2025
  • For long-haul trips, consider the Southern Hemisphere for a jolt of vitamin D in a rugged, determinedly uncommercial spot, or take a dip in a memorable, albeit temporary, Japanese onsen.
    Mark Ellwood, AFAR Media, 20 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The Skullcandy Crusher Evo headphones are all about feeling every thump, and beat.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Another Boras client, Cody Bellinger, was nearing the end of his second season in Chicago, which did not deliver as much thump as his MVP-level 2023 campaign.
    Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • These radio waves are produced when an outflow of material slams into gas that surrounds the black hole.
    Keith Cooper, Space.com, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Hipp will give members the full VIP treatment on game day and beyond, offering slam-dunk refreshments and privacy from the masses.
    Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 14 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Collision.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/collision. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on collision

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