Thesaurus results for COLLISION

Q: How is the word 'collision' different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of collision are concussion , impact , and shock . While all these words mean "a forceful, even violent contact between two or more things," collision implies the coming together of two or more things with such force that both or all are damaged or their progress is severely impeded. // the collision damaged the vehicle

Q: In what contexts can 'concussion' take the place of 'collision'?

The synonyms concussion and collision are sometimes interchangeable, but concussion when not in technical use, often suggests the shattering, disrupting, or weakening effects of a collision, explosion, or blow. // bystanders felt the concussion of the blast

Q: When could 'impact' be used to replace 'collision'?

In some situations, the words impact and collision are roughly equivalent. However, impact may be used to imply contact between two things, at least one of which is impelled toward the other. // the glass shattered on impact with the floor

Q: When might 'shock' be a better fit than 'collision'?

The words shock and collision are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, shock often denotes the effect produced by a collision and carries the suggestion of something that strikes or hits with force. // the shock of falling rocks

collision

noun

kə-ˈli-zhən

Definition of collision next

as in crash

a forceful coming together of two things the collision of two opposing philosophies regarding the rearing of children

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in accident

the violent coming together of two bodies into destructive contact a horrendous car collision on the highway

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word collision different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of collision are concussion, impact, and shock. While all these words mean "a forceful, even violent contact between two or more things," collision implies the coming together of two or more things with such force that both or all are damaged or their progress is severely impeded.

the collision damaged the vehicle

In what contexts can concussion take the place of collision?

The synonyms concussion and collision are sometimes interchangeable, but concussion when not in technical use, often suggests the shattering, disrupting, or weakening effects of a collision, explosion, or blow.

bystanders felt the concussion of the blast

When could impact be used to replace collision?

In some situations, the words impact and collision are roughly equivalent. However, impact may be used to imply contact between two things, at least one of which is impelled toward the other.

the glass shattered on impact with the floor

When might shock be a better fit than collision?

The words shock and collision are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, shock often denotes the effect produced by a collision and carries the suggestion of something that strikes or hits with force.

the shock of falling rocks

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of collision With rising numbers of Jewish immigrants escaping an increasingly fascist Europe, and Palestinian calls for independence, all sides spiral towards inevitable collision in a decisive moment for the British Empire and the future of the entire region. —

Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 10 Feb. 2025 The collision occurred around 1:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon near Wenatchee, about 150 miles east of Seattle, when a driver attempted to pass a car on a two-lane road and slammed into a charter bus going in the opposite direction. —

David Matthews, New York Daily News, 10 Feb. 2025 Two Litchfield residents were taken to the hospital after a collision just east of CSAH 34 on Minnesota Highway 24 around 9:40 p.m. Dec. 27, according to the Meeker County Sheriff’s Office. —

Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2025 News of Manzano’s death comes less than a year after his wife, Ashleigh Boyd, was killed in a head-on collision in April, according to Topeka’s WIBW radio station. —

Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for collision

Recent Examples of Synonyms for collision

Noun

The cause of the Medevac crash is not yet known, but the cockpit voice recorder was recovered and sent to the NTSB for investigation.

— Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 11 Feb. 2025
Newsweek has reached out to the Federal Aviation Authority seeking further information and comment about the crash.

— Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025