clash

1 of 2

verb

ˈklash 

clashed; clashing; clashes

intransitive verb

1

: to make a clash

cymbals clashed

2

: to come into conflict

where ignorant armies clash by night

—Matthew Arnold

also : to be incompatible

the colors clashed

transitive verb

: to cause to clash

clasher noun

clash

2 of 2

noun

1

: a noisy usually metallic sound of collision

2

a

: a hostile encounter : skirmish

b

: a sharp conflict

a clash of opinions

Synonyms

Verb

• collide
• conflict
• disaccord
• discord
• jar

Noun

• battle
• combat
• conflict
• contest
• dustup
• fight
• fracas
• fray
• hassle
• scrap
• scrimmage
• scrum
• scuffle
• skirmish
• struggle
• tussle

Examples of clash in a Sentence

Verb

Police and protesters clashed yesterday.

The sofa and the chair clash.

She ended the song by clashing the cymbals.

Noun

Hundreds were killed in ethnic clashes in the region last month.

a clash between rival gangs that resulted in some serious injuries

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

In this case, a conservative politician and a forward-thinking urban designer clash over the future of a city’s future. —Peter Debruge, Variety, 16 May 2024

But those demands clash with regional efforts to forestall the inevitable collapse of the bluff from erosion and rising seas. —Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

imitative

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1500, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1513, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing clash

• battle/clash of wills
• clash of personalities

Kids Definition

clash

1 of 2 verb

ˈklash 

1

: to make a clash

clashing cymbals

2

a

: to come into conflict

pickets clashed with the police

b

: to not match well

our ideas clashed

some colors clash

clasher noun

clash

2 of 2 noun

1

: a loud sharp sound usually of metal striking metal

the clash of swords

2

: a sharp fight or strong disagreement