clash

verb

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

Examples of clash in a Sentence

Police and protesters clashed yesterday. The sofa and the chair clash. She ended the song by clashing the cymbals.
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.
Strikes over southern Lebanon continue daily, meanwhile, and Hezbollah fighters and Israeli troops have also clashed. Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 7 June 2026 It is believed that Baltyuor’s vision for the fest going forward clashed with Pandya Malhotra’s mode of operation, according to sources. Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 6 June 2026 Months of withering brutal weather gave way to soccer abandon on the turf, as two of Ottawa’s best junior teams clashed in the sunlight. Paula Newton, CNN Money, 6 June 2026 Norwell will now clash with a rival in the Div. Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 6 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for clash

Word History

Etymology

imitative

First Known Use

circa 1518, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of clash was circa 1518

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Clash.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clash. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

clash

1 of 2 verb
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

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