as in clank
the loud sound made when metal strikes metal
the horseshoe hit the stake with a satisfying clang
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of clang
Andy Rose, CNN Money, 21 Dec. 2025
The clang of a political gong is deafening.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 14 Feb. 2026
At once the bells began to clang.
—Ben Wedeman, CNN Money, 30 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clang
Noun
In the footage, distant headlights can be seen pulling up to the statue’s location, followed moments later by screeching tires and a metallic clang.
—Andy Rose, CNN Money, 21 Dec. 2025
The clang of a political gong is deafening.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
Senior forward Javan Buchanan had a chance to restore the Broncos’ lead with a corner three with 13 seconds left, but could only clang his shot off the rim, while Gibbs-Lawhorn also missed a potential game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 14 Feb. 2026
At once the bells began to clang.
—Ben Wedeman, CNN Money, 30 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clang
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clang
Noun
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As the sun sank, neighbors began banging spoons on metal pots from inside their homes, the subtle but unmistakable clank of government protests.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Mar. 2026
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If starting offense early in the shot clock is good, then draining the clock late into possessions must mean clanks are on the way.—
Fred Katz,
New York Times,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Martin and staffers in Blanche's office sometimes clashed, in part amid frustrations over what Blanche's staff perceived as a lack of progress by Martin on the work of the Weaponization Working Group, according to several sources familiar with the dynamics.—
Sarah N. Lynch,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
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Competing civic interests and institutional missions inevitably clash, particularly when promises of cultural visibility and community representation are made simultaneously.—
Michelle Grabner,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The snake struck and shook its tail to protect itself, releasing its notorious rattle warning.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
26 Mar. 2026
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Most people initially become aware of the reptiles by hearing their rattles, which the snakes use to try to scare off aggressors or to distract prey.—
Gary Robbins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The clangor of the factory bell on the mill’s roof sends a bird into flight, signaling the start of another 10- to 12-hour workday for all four women.—
Helen A. Cooper,
WSJ,
10 June 2022
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Not the clangor of blades, nor a rousing drumbeat and song to keep our hearts aloft.—
Jess Grey,
Wired,
16 Oct. 2021
Verb
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Paveletzke drove straight down the middle of the court for a would-be game-winner … but Suder, who struggled offensively most of the night, met him at the rim and went straight up defensively, forcing Paveletzke’s running layup to clink off the front rim.—
Brendan Marks,
New York Times,
7 Mar. 2026
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As the night progressed, cocktail glasses continued to clink while a tasty île flottante dessert made its way to each table.—
Avon Dorsey,
Vogue,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Watches, rings and race car helmets When Final Four teams arrived in Indianapolis, they were gifted a race car helmet and watches, which led to Hurley’s speech about coming for rings, not watches, as soon as the team got off the plane.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
3 Apr. 2026
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The front desk clerk exchanged passports for iron keys while also running a prostitute ring; peddlers roamed the premises hawking lacquer boxes and sports jerseys in garbled English.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Moments later, a bass thump sounded in the distance.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
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The experimental jet, part of NASA’s Quesst mission, is designed to fly faster than the speed of sound while producing only a soft sonic thump instead of a disruptive boom.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clang.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clang. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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