Clash — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈklash/

Meaning & Definition of Clash

Clash (verb)

  1. to make a clash
  2. to come into conflict; also, to be incompatible
  3. to cause to clash

Clash (noun)

  1. a noisy usually metallic sound of collision
  2. a hostile encounter, skirmish
  3. a sharp conflict

Clash (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups

    "a clash between rival gangs that resulted in some serious injuries"

    similar: battle, combat, conflict, contest, dustup, fight, fracas, fray, hassle, scrap, scrimmage, scrum, scuffle, skirmish, struggle, tussle
    related: pitched battle, rough-and-tumble, affray (chiefly British), battle royal, brawl, broil, donnybrook, free-for-all, melee, mix-up, ruckus, ruction, blows, fistfight, fisticuffs, grapple, handgrips, punch-out, punch-up (chiefly British), slugfest, confrontation, duel, face-off, joust, altercation, argle-bargle (chiefly British), argument, argy-bargy (chiefly British), contretemps, controversy, cross fire, disagreement, dispute, falling-out, kickup, misunderstanding, quarrel, row, spat, squabble, tangle, tiff, wrangle, catfight
    near: truce

  2. the loud sound made when metal strikes metal

    "the clash of cymbals"

    similar: clang, clangor, clank, whang
    related: chime, ding-dong, knell, peal, ping, plink, ring, tintinnabulation, chink, clink, clinkety-clank, jangle, jingle, rattle, tang, tinkle, twang, clap, clip-clop, clop, crack, crash, crunch, clump, clunk, thump

Clash (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to be out of harmony or agreement usually noticeably

    "the colors of your shirt and pants clash"

    "a parent's idea of proper dress often clashes with a teenager's"

    similar: collide, conflict, disaccord, discord, jar
    related: battle, combat, engage, fight, war (against), chafe, gall, grate, jangle, differ, disagree, dissent
    opposite: accord, blend, conform (to or with), fit, harmonize, match
    near: agree, assent, coincide, concur, correspond

Related Entry: Clash (with) (verb)

Clash (with) is a different word from Clash. The synonyms below are for clash (with), not for clash.

  1. to oppose (someone) in physical conflict

    "the Iroquois often clashed with the other Native American nations in the region"

    similar: battle, combat, fight, scrimmage (with), skirmish (with), war (against)
    related: duel, joust, bang, bash, bat, batter, beat, belt, bludgeon, bop, buffet, clobber, hammer, hit, knock, paste, pound, punch, slam, slap, slog, slug, smack, smite, sock, strike, swat, swipe, thump, thwack, wallop, whack, whale, box, spar, brawl, grapple, scuffle, tussle, wrestle, bump, collide
    near: give up, submit, surrender

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Clash

The most common words with a similar meaning to Clash:

battle, combat, conflict, contest, dustup, fight, fracas, fray, hassle, scrap, scrimmage, scrum, scuffle, skirmish, struggle, tussle, clang, clangor, clank, whang, collide, disaccord, discord, jar

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Clash

Words with the opposite meaning of Clash:

accord, blend, conform (to or with), fit, harmonize, match

Related Words for Clash

pitched battle, rough-and-tumble, affray, battle royal, brawl, broil, donnybrook, free-for-all, melee, mix-up, ruckus, ruction, blows, fistfight, fisticuffs, grapple, handgrips, punch-out, punch-up, slugfest, confrontation, duel, face-off, joust, altercation, argle-bargle, argument, argy-bargy, contretemps, controversy

Near Antonyms of Clash

truce, agree, assent, coincide, concur, correspond

Word Forms of Clash

Inflections: clashed, clashing, clashes

Derived words: clasher (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Clash

imitative

First known use: circa 1518i

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Clash

Words & Phrases Containing Clash

clash of personalities, battle/clash of wills

Frequently Asked Questions about Clash

What does "Clash" mean?

"Clash" means to make a clash. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to make a clash. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Clash"?

Other words for "Clash" include battle, combat, conflict, contest, dustup, fight, fracas and fray. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Clash" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Clash"?

There are 102 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Clash". Common alternatives include battle, combat, conflict, contest, dustup, fight, fracas, fray, hassle and scrap.

What is the opposite of "Clash"?

Antonyms of "Clash" include accord, blend, conform (to or with), fit, harmonize and match. Near antonyms include truce, agree, assent and coincide.

How do you use "Clash" in a sentence?

Examples of "Clash" in a sentence: "a clash between rival gangs that resulted in some serious injuries"; "the clash of cymbals"; "the colors of your shirt and pants clash".

Is "Clash" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Clash" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Clash" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Clash" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Clash"?

"Clash" is pronounced /ˈklash/.