clash

[ klash ]

/ klæʃ /

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See synonyms for: clash / clashes / clashing on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)

to make a loud, harsh noise: The gears of the old car clashed and grated.

to come together or collide, especially noisily: The cymbals clashed.

to conflict; disagree: Their stories of the accident clashed completely.

(of juxtaposed colors) to be offensive to the eye.

to engage in a physical conflict or contest, as in a game or a battle (often followed by with): The Yankees clash with the White Sox for the final game of the season.

verb (used with object)

to strike with a resounding or violent collision: He clashed his fist against the heavy door.

to produce (sound) by or as by collision: The tower bell clashed its mournful note.

noun

a loud, harsh noise, as of a collision: The automobiles collided with a terrible clash.

a collision, especially a noisy one.

a conflict; opposition, especially of views or interests: a clash between nations.

a battle, fight, or skirmish: The clash between the border patrols left three men dead.

OTHER WORDS FOR clash

1 clang, crash.

10 disagreement, altercation, dispute.

See synonyms for clash on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR clash

10 agreement, cooperation.

See antonyms for clash on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of clash

First recorded in 1490–1500; blend of clap¹ and dash¹

OTHER WORDS FROM clash

clasher, nounclash·ing·ly, adverbin·ter·clash, noun, verbun·clash·ing, adjective

Words nearby clash

clarthead, clarts, clarty, clary, -clase, clash, Clashing Rocks, -clasis, clasp, clasper, claspers

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

WHEN TO USE

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.

How to use clash in a sentence

Because of a procedural clash between Democrats who control the legislature and the Republican minority, the regular session was kept to 30 days instead of the customary 46 for an odd-numbered year.
Virginia’s General Assembly heads to special session with bipartisan momentum on coronavirus relief bills|Gregory S. Schneider, Laura Vozzella|February 8, 2021|Washington Post
There’s actually a culture clash here, where fundamentally the communication always will be broken, because the scientist has been trained not to give an answer, and the decision-maker’s only job is to provide one.
The Hard Lessons of Modeling the Coronavirus Pandemic|Jordana Cepelewicz|January 28, 2021|Quanta Magazine
The clash between the night sky and the infinite universe became known as Olber’s paradox, named after Heinrich Olber, an astronomer who popularized it in 1826.
The universe is 13.8 billion years old—here’s how we know|Charlie Wood|January 13, 2021|Popular-Science
This tranquility appears to have emerged only after a gladiatorial period of planetary clashes—one in which titans ricocheted off each other, perhaps ejecting at least one rival sibling from the cosmic arena altogether.
Neptune’s bumpy childhood could reveal our solar system’s missing planets|Charlie Wood|January 8, 2021|Popular-Science

You’re an expert on political media, and the thing that I find so strange about this clash is that it’s not really an ideological battle.
Are we entering a new era of political violence?|Sean Illing|January 7, 2021|Vox
Linsker initially escaped after the clash on the bridge but was arrested a short time later.
The High-Priced Union Rep Charged With Attacking a Cop|Jacob Siegel|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A cynical old Chicago lawyer once described this as the theory that “out of the clash of lies, truth will emerge.”
Ferguson’s Grand Jury Bought Darren Wilson’s Story|Paul Campos|November 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But it also sharpens the clash between two very ways of approaching history.
God vs. the Internet. And the Winner is…|Michael Schulson|November 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But he never makes any clash we have public, and he calms me down a lot as well.
The Chicago Bulls’ Joakim Noah Sounds Off on Weed, the Weather, and Winning|Bill Schulz|October 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Soon after that his clash with Ben Affleck, who nearly blew a gasket, sparked a national debate over Islam.
Bill Maher: Yes, I Can Generalize About Muslims|Marlow Stern|October 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He and Mathieson p. 66did not always agree, and the clash of arms frequently raged between them.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland|Joseph Tatlow
While this clash was going forward between the rancher and Clip, Matt's mind had been busy.
Motor Matt's "Century" Run|Stanley R. Matthews
So far my official duties did not clash with this work, and I could remain in the Ministry of Justice.
The Life & Letters of Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky|Modeste Tchaikovsky
Just then the clash of the luncheon bell was heard, and Haggard gave his wife his arm.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume II (of 3)|Charles James Wills
He heard the clash of levers thrown sharply over in that distant ship; his own hands were frozen to the controls.
Astounding Stories, May, 1931|Various

British Dictionary definitions for clash

clash

/ (klæʃ) /

verb

to make or cause to make a loud harsh sound, esp by striking together

(intr) to be incompatible; conflict

(intr) to engage together in conflict or contest

(intr) (of dates or events) to coincide

(intr) (of colours) to look ugly or inharmonious together

noun

a loud harsh noise

a collision or conflict

Scot gossip; tattle

Derived forms of clash

clasher, nounclashingly, adverb

Word Origin for clash

C16: of imitative origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

clash

OTHER WORDS FOR clash

OPPOSITES FOR clash

Origin of clash

OTHER WORDS FROM clash

Words nearby clash

WHEN TO USE

What are other ways to say clash?

Words related to clash

How to use clash in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for clash

Derived forms of clash

Word Origin for clash