clash
Americanverb (used without object)
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clashes,
present (3rd person singular)
-
clashed,
past participle, past
-
clashing
present participle
-
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 bywith ).
The Yankees clash with the White Sox for the final game of the season.
verb (used with object)
-
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.
-
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.
-
a collision, especially a noisy one.
-
a conflict; opposition, especially of views or interests.
a clash between nations.
- Synonyms:
- dispute, altercation, disagreement
- Antonyms:
- cooperation, agreement
-
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
-
(intr) (of colours) to look ugly or inharmonious together
noun
-
a loud harsh noise
-
a collision or conflict
-
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
-
has clashedperfect
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am clashingprogressive
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are clashingprogressive
-
is clashingprogressive
-
have been clashingperfect progressive
-
has been clashingperfect progressive
Past
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clashedsimple
-
had clashedperfect
-
was clashingprogressive
-
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
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
Business owners expect the much anticipated clash between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury to provide a "big boost" to the Welsh economy.
From BBC ● Sep. 25, 2026
The cold air masses created by this icecap clash with the warm winds from the ocean to churn up a storm belt that surrounds the continent, making the Southern Ocean the most treacherous sea anywhere.
From "Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World" by Jennifer Armstrong
Dozens of people, mainly police, have been injured in the clashes since Tuesday, according to authorities.
From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2026
"There were clashes between foreign nationals in the area and South African nationals," senior local police officer Xolani Fihla told state broadcaster SABC.
From BBC ● Oct. 9, 2026
"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
There are lots of potential synergies and cost savings, but there will also be culture clashes and large personalities to manage, all while television news is in secular decline.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026
Nor had there been any clashes with Ras the Exhorter—although in the past week he had been increasingly active.
From "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison
Protesters and riot police clashed in Tirana as thousands of demonstrators rallied for better university conditions and demanded Prime Minister Edi Rama's resignation.
From Barron's ● Oct. 14, 2026
Fain had clashed with another UAW vice president, Rich Boyer, who unsuccessfully challenged Fain for the top job.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026
Riot police have clashed with protesters as thousands of students demonstrating over education standards disrupted more than 700 schools in France on Friday.
From BBC ● Oct. 2, 2026
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
On September 19, 1777, Redcoats under General Burgoyne clashed with American troops, who nearly defeated the British.
From "George Washington, Spymaster" by Thomas B. Allen
The boardroom tussle has increasingly spilled into the public domain, with Tata Sons and Trusts clashing through legal notices and conflicting statements.
From BBC ● Oct. 12, 2026
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
After co-founding Apple Computer in 1976 and taking its stock public in 1980, Jobs was ousted from the company in 1985 after clashing with its board.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 4, 2026
Some rival studios have pushed their releases forward to avoid clashing with "GTA VI", creating an unusually dense calendar of new games.
From Barron's ● Aug. 25, 2026
The sound of fencing blades clashing and loud chatter filled the room.
From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad
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