Definition of 'clash'

Word Frequency

clash

(klæʃ )

Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular present tense clashes , present participle clashing , past tense, past participle clashed

1. verb

When people clash, they fight, argue, or disagree with each other.

[journalism]

A group of 400 demonstrators clashed with police. [VERB + with]

Behind the scenes, Parsons clashed with almost everyone on the show. [VERB + with]

The working groups have also clashed over genetically modified crops. [VERB + over]

Synonyms: conflict, grapple, wrangle, lock horns More Synonyms of clash

Clash is also a noun.

There have been a number of clashes between police in riot gear and demonstrators. [+ between]

[Also + with]

2. verb

Beliefs, ideas, or qualities that clash with each other are very different from each other and therefore are opposed.

Don't make any policy decisions which clash with official company thinking. [VERB + with]

Here, morality and good sentiments clash headlong. [VERB]

Synonyms: disagree, conflict, vary, counter More Synonyms of clash

Clash is also a noun.

Inside government, there was a clash of views. [+ of]

3. verb

If one event clashes with another, the two events happen at the same time so that you cannot attend both of them.

I couldn't go on the trip as it clashed with my final exams. [VERB + with]

4. verb

If one colour or style clashes with another, the colours or styles look ugly together. You can also say that two colours or styles clash.

The red door clashed with the soft, natural tones of the stone walls. [VERB + with]

So what if the colours clashed? [VERB]

Synonyms: not go, jar, not match, be discordant More Synonyms of clash

5. reciprocal verb

Sports journalists sometimes say that two individuals or teams who compete against each other clash, especially when a lot of feeling is involved.

He will clash with his rival in the final. [VERB with noun]

The two sides will clash there only if Chelsea beat Sunderland in their quarter-final replay. [plural-noun VERB]

Clash is also a noun.

Australia's rugby union team for the return clash with New Zealand is weakened by injury.

6. verb

When metal objects clash, they make a lot of noise by being hit together.

[literary]

The golden bangles on her arms clashed and jingled. [plural-noun VERB]

Synonyms: crash, bang, rattle, jar More Synonyms of clash

Clash is also a noun.

...a noise like the clash of cymbals.

More Synonyms of clash

Video: pronunciation of 'clash'

Word Frequency

clash in British

(klæʃ )

verb

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

2. (intransitive)

to be incompatible; conflict

3. (intransitive)

to engage together in conflict or contest

4. (intransitive)

(of dates or events) to coincide

5. (intransitive)

(of colours) to look ugly or inharmonious together

noun

a loud harsh noise

a collision or conflict

8. Scottish

gossip; tattle

Derived forms

clasher (ˈclasher)

noun

clashingly (ˈclashingly)

adverb

Word origin of 'clash'

C16: of imitative origin

Word Frequency

clash in American

(klæʃ ; klash)

verb intransitive

to collide or strike together with a loud, harsh, metallic noise

to come into conflict; disagree sharply

to fail to harmonize

colors that clash

verb transitive

to strike together with a loud, harsh, metallic noise

noun

a harsh noise, as of a collision

a sharp disagreement; conflict

lack of harmony

Word origin of 'clash'

echoic

Example sentences containing 'clash'

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

Three protesters were arrested after clashes with police left cops injured. The Sun (2016)But the militias have also clashed with the government. Times, Sunday Times (2015)Wearing away kits where there is no colour clash. Times, Sunday Times (2015)The sporting arena sees two big clashes. Times, Sunday Times (2013)There were also reports of clashes there. Times, Sunday Times (2012)This was caused by clashes between partners with varying standards of cleanliness. Times, Sunday Times (2013)Now he cannot wait for his first clash with his old gaffer as a coach. The Sun (2015)They clashed with riot police in surrounding streets. The Sun (2009) Colour clash your sweat with a contrasting skirt. The Sun (2013)The heart of this problem is a clash between two sets of policy drivers. Times, Sunday Times (2009)The clashes also come amid deep concerns about the expanding budget deficit. Times, Sunday Times (2009)We're loving block colours worn with clashing tights and simple accessories. The Sun (2009)You have people with hope and people without, clashing together. Times, Sunday Times (2010)There's no excuse for wearing this many styles and clashing colours at once. The Sun (2014)It is in the interest of both parties to avoid these clashes: to make them less inevitable. Times, Sunday Times (2011)THE art of individual dressing is finding which colours clash well together and suit your colouring. The Sun (2008)Last night about 150 anarchists burst into a hospital treating a protester who had suffered a brain injury in the clashes. Times, Sunday Times (2011)This is not the first time the two firms will have clashed in UK courts. The Sun (2013)The violence, the conflict, the clashes have become worse and worse. The Sun (2015)Not at his best, but still a constant threat before suffering an injury in a clash with Luiz. Times, Sunday Times (2014)The EU referendum will clash with the Glastonbury festival. Times, Sunday Times (2016)