clashed; clashing; clashes
1
: to make a clash
cymbals clashed
2
: to come into conflict
where ignorant armies clash by night—
Matthew Arnold
Matthew Arnold
also
: to be incompatible
the colors clashed
: to cause to clash
clasher
noun
1
: a noisy usually metallic sound of collision
2
a
: a hostile encounter : skirmish
b
: a sharp conflict
a clash of opinions
Examples of clash in a Sentence
Verb
Police and protesters clashed yesterday.
The sofa and the chair clash.
She ended the song by clashing the cymbals.
Noun
Hundreds were killed in ethnic clashes in the region last month.
a clash between rival gangs that resulted in some serious injuries
Recent Examples on the Web
Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
The pair clashed when discussing efforts for a Russia-Ukraine cease-fire.
—Rebecca Schneid, Time, 25 May 2025
Zac Anderson, USA Today, 26 May 2025
The clash between Villaraigosa’s environmentalist credentials and oil-industry ties surfaced in the governor’s race after Valero announced in late April that its Bay Area refinery would close next year, not long after Phillips 66 said its Wilmington refinery would close in 2025.
—Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for clash
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.
Verb
SmackDown’s two colossal stars clashed in a fantastic steel cage match that ideally will end one of WWE’s lengthiest feuds.
—Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
The pair clashed when discussing efforts for a Russia-Ukraine cease-fire.
—Rebecca Schneid, Time, 25 May 2025
Noun
Trump tests legal strategies as judges block his policies
As the clash becomes a defining moment in the president's second term, conservative activists are pushing Congress to rein in federal judges and pressing Trump to intensify his fight with the courts.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 26 May 2025
The clash between Villaraigosa’s environmentalist credentials and oil-industry ties surfaced in the governor’s race after Valero announced in late April that its Bay Area refinery would close next year, not long after Phillips 66 said its Wilmington refinery would close in 2025.
—Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for clash
Cite this Entry
“Clash.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clash. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
clash
1 of 2 verb1
: 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 noun1
: a loud sharp sound usually of metal striking metal
the clash of swords
2
: a sharp fight or strong disagreement
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share