clash
Americanverb (used without object)
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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.
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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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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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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
- clasher noun
- clashingly adverb
- interclash noun
- unclashing adjective
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.
Their larger clash, however, came over the war in Iran.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026
“But if the next step is a naval clash, attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure, or a widening of regional military operations, then the market will start to price a much more dangerous scenario,” she cautioned.
From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026
Arsenal only dropped out of the lead for three days in a 30-week table-topping spell, when Manchester City won a rearranged clash in February.
From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026
Unfortunately the die-hard Scotland fan, who is a regular on BBC Scotland's Off the Ball, has found himself with a slight clash ahead of this summer's tournament.
From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026
We wouldn’t clash during road trips to see life outside the city.
From "What If It's Us" by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera
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.
