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Synonyms

clash

American  
[klash] / klæʃ /

verb (used without object)

  1. to make a loud, harsh noise.

    The gears of the old car clashed and grated.

    Synonyms:
    crash, clang
  2. to come together or collide, especially noisily.

    The cymbals clashed.

  3. to conflict; disagree.

    Their stories of the accident clashed completely.

  4. (of juxtaposed colors) to be offensive to the eye.

  5. 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)

  1. to strike with a resounding or violent collision.

    He clashed his fist against the heavy door.

  2. to produce (sound) by or as by collision.

    The tower bell clashed its mournful note.

noun

  1. a loud, harsh noise, as of a collision.

    The automobiles collided with a terrible clash.

  2. a collision, especially a noisy one.

  3. a conflict; opposition, especially of views or interests.

    a clash between nations.

    Synonyms:
    dispute, altercation, disagreement
    Antonyms:
    cooperation, agreement
  4. a battle, fight, or skirmish.

    The clash between the border patrols left three men dead.

clash British  
/ klæʃ /

verb

  1. to make or cause to make a loud harsh sound, esp by striking together

  2. (intr) to be incompatible; conflict

  3. (intr) to engage together in conflict or contest

  4. (intr) (of dates or events) to coincide

  5. (intr) (of colours) to look ugly or inharmonious together

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a loud harsh noise

  2. a collision or conflict

  3. gossip; tattle

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

  • clasher noun
  • clashingly adverb
  • interclash noun
  • unclashing adjective

Etymology

Origin of clash

First recorded in 1490–1500; blend of clap 1 and dash 1

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.

The uneasy neighbours have clashed at the border intermittently for months.

From Barron's

His tenure has also included workforce reductions, naming of a new editor-in-chief known for opinion writing, and clashes with journalists over issues of editorial independence.

From BBC

The clash comes at a critical juncture for Washington’s tense dealings with Havana, showing how quickly sensitive discussions can be overtaken by unpredictable actors on the margins.

From The Wall Street Journal

Demonstrators have clashed with police outside Congress in recent weeks as lawmakers debated the bill.

From The Wall Street Journal

When Lenin died in 1924, the two rivals clashed for the right to take his place.

From The Wall Street Journal