Synonyms of collision

collision

noun

kə-ˈli-zhən 

1

as in crash

a forceful coming together of two things

the collision of two opposing philosophies regarding the rearing of children

Synonyms & Similar Words

• crash
• shock
• impact
• jolt
• thump
• slam
• concussion
• bump
• blow
• encounter
• pounding
• impingement
• contact
• slap
• kick
• strike
• jounce
• hit
• knock
• punch
• jar
• smash
• wallop
• buffet
• thrashing
• hammering
• rap
• battering
• bashing
• licking
• touch
• meeting
• pummeling
• clobbering
• bludgeoning
• lambasting

2

as in accident

the violent coming together of two bodies into destructive contact

a horrendous car collision on the highway

Synonyms & Similar Words

• crash
• accident
• wreck
• smashup
• concussion
• pileup
• smash
• crack-up
• destruction
• ruin
• demolishment

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

Recent Examples of collision

Also standard are automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, lane departure prevention, rear cross-traffic alert, driver attention monitor, high beam assist and traffic sign recognition. —Kristin Shaw, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026

In the collision of spice, sharpness and seedy crunch, and in the sponging way potatoes soak up butter, the intensity never seems like too much. —Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026

Every second at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), proton collisions generate energies around 100 MeV per particle—roughly 100,000 times hotter than the Sun’s core. —Tejasri Gururaj, Interesting Engineering, 29 Jan. 2026

Through their later investigation, police determined that the collision was not the result of a speeding offense, but rather the result of a road rage incident that began at a separate location, according to their release. —Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 29 Jan. 2026