clash
Americanverb (used without object)
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clashes,
present (3rd person singular)
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clashed,
past participle, past
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clashing
present participle
-
to make a loud, harsh noise.
The gears of the old car clashed and grated.
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to come together or collide, especially noisily.
The cymbals clashed.
-
to conflict; disagree.
Their stories of the accident clashed completely.
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(of juxtaposed colors) to be offensive to the eye.
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to engage in a physical conflict or contest, as in a game or a battle (often followed bywith ).
The Yankees clash with the White Sox for the final game of the season.
verb (used with object)
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clashes,
present (3rd person singular)
-
clashed,
past participle, past
-
clashing
present participle
-
to strike with a resounding or violent collision.
He clashed his fist against the heavy door.
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to produce (sound) by or as by collision.
The tower bell clashed its mournful note.
noun
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clashes
plural
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a loud, harsh noise, as of a collision.
The automobiles collided with a terrible clash.
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a collision, especially a noisy one.
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a conflict; opposition, especially of views or interests.
a clash between nations.
- Synonyms:
- dispute, altercation, disagreement
- Antonyms:
- cooperation, agreement
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a battle, fight, or skirmish.
The clash between the border patrols left three men dead.
verb
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to make or cause to make a loud harsh sound, esp by striking together
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(intr) to be incompatible; conflict
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(intr) to engage together in conflict or contest
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(intr) (of dates or events) to coincide
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(intr) (of colours) to look ugly or inharmonious together
noun
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a loud harsh noise
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a collision or conflict
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gossip; tattle
Usage
What are other ways to say clash? A clash is a conflict; this word is also used in reference to opposition, especially of views or interests. How does clash compare to brush and struggle? Find out on Thesaurus.com.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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clashsimple
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clashessimple
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have clashedperfect
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has clashedperfect
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am clashingprogressive
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are clashingprogressive
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is clashingprogressive
-
have been clashingperfect progressive
-
has been clashingperfect progressive
Past
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clashedsimple
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had clashedperfect
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was clashingprogressive
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were clashingprogressive
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had been clashingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of clash
Explanation
When two things clash, they run violently into each other, often with an accompanying loud noise. The percussionist in an orchestra has the enviable job of making two cymbals clash together. Kids clash when they run into each other on the playground, but they can also clash through a strong disagreement: "My cousins always clash when it comes to deciding what movie to watch after dinner." Also, your shirt might clash with your pants, if the colors or prints simply don't go together. Clash is imitative — it sounds like its original meaning, "make a loud, sharp sound," and may be related to the words clap and crash.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
But when David posted the scene several hours later, the editing gave viewers the impression of a major clash -- a violent confrontation in Israel's secular heart.
From Barron's ● Oct. 9, 2026
It may or may not be a culture clash that pits your middle-class childhood against your husband’s privileged one.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 7, 2026
She retired injured from a last-16 clash against Rybakina at Indian Wells in March and did not return to competitive action until last month's Billie Jean King Cup Finals.
From BBC ● Oct. 3, 2026
And the team, which has a 1-2 record, needs answers quickly heading into this weekend’s divisional clash against the undefeated Buffalo Bills.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 1, 2026
The clash culminates several weeks after Enrique arrives, when Maria Isabel telephones collect and her call is rejected because some of the immigrants in the trailer do not know who she is.
From "Enrique's Journey" by Sonia Nazario
"It's reported that there were clashes between foreign nationals in the area and South African nationals," he said.
From Barron's ● Oct. 8, 2026
French students have blocked the entrances to hundreds of high schools across the country since late September to demand better conditions, in protests that have descended into sporadic clashes with security forces.
From Barron's ● Oct. 6, 2026
This account—pieced from hundreds of pages of court records and depositions as well as hours of video—offers a rare, inside view into how politics and identity clashes can rock a workplace.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026
However, that clashes with the conclusion to the Tartan Pro Tour, the Gleneagles Masters, after which Stewart will qualify for next year's second-tier Challenge Tour should he protect his current second place.
From BBC ● Oct. 4, 2026
When I reached the office, members were there with reports of clashes in other parts of the district.
From "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison
Raman also has clashed with Bass over loosening the rules imposed on Airbnb and other short-term rental companies.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026
Rana had previously clashed with New Zealand skipper Jeremy Coney.
From BBC ● Sep. 29, 2026
Ukrainian forces first clashed with them in November 2024, and the first live North Korean prisoners of war wouldn't be captured until January of the following year.
From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2026
The demonstration -- and a counter-protest by the Stand Up to Racism group -- comes after protesters clashed with police on Sunday in the same city.
From Barron's ● Sep. 11, 2026
Both lowered their heads and clashed antlers with a clanging crack that sounded like a shot.
From "Julie of the Wolves" by Jean Craighead George
Climaxing in a tense court case that hinges on what constitutes a slap, “Fjord” explores clashing cultures and mutual distrust, leaving us unsure how to feel.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2026
Photographs showed protesters in the east coast city of Valencia clashing with police officers on Saturday near arts centre Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, which was hosting a real estate summit.
From BBC ● Oct. 3, 2026
The clashing versions add another twist to protracted, and often contentious, talks between Washington and Seoul over last year’s trade pact.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 1, 2026
Anthropic’s founders had left OpenAI in 2020 to found the AI startup in 2021 after clashing with executives at the ChatGPT maker over safety issues.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 11, 2026
Had it not been for their frantic clashing, I might have imagined they were not solid metal at all, but something thin and insubstantial, like the elder sticks we fought with as boys.
From "The Shakespeare Stealer" by Gary L. Blackwood
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
