clash

1 of 2

verb

ˈklash How to pronounce clash (audio)
clashed; clashing; clashes
Synonyms of clashnext

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 of clash

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Verb

Noun

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

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
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.
Verb
In it, two mob families clash in a war that threatens to topple empires and lives. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 30 June 2026 With no veins or additional imbued colors, solid white quartz counters will not clash with other colors in the room. — Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 30 June 2026
Noun
Attempting to cover it up creates a bigger mess as Jupiter and Chiron clash! — Usa Today, USA Today, 1 July 2026 Communal clashes over land resources are common in some parts of Africa’s most populous country. — ABC News, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for clash

Word History

Etymology

Verb

imitative

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1518, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

circa 1522, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of clash was circa 1518

Phrases Containing clash

Rhymes for clash

See All Rhymes for clash

Browse Nearby Words

-clase
clash
clash cymbal
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Clash.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clash. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

clash

1 of 2 verb
ˈklash How to pronounce clash (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on clash

Nglish: Translation of clash for Spanish Speakers

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