What does "clash" mean?
A loud sound, like the crashing together of metal objects; a crash.
Clash
/klæʃ/ noun, verb, slang
noun, verb, slang ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A loud sound, like the crashing together of metal objects; a crash.
- Grammar: clash is listed as noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: clang, clangor, crash, action.
- Useful contrasts: agree, agreement, assorting.
- Usage evidence: Our interests clash with theirs.
How to use "clash"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "clash" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "clash" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "clash" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "clash" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "clash" is acting as noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "clang" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "clash", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A loud sound, like the crashing together of metal objects; a crash. countable, onomatopoeic, uncountable
"I heard a clash from the kitchen, and rushed in to find the cat had knocked over some pots and pans."
- 2 a minor short-term fight wordnet
- 3 A skirmish, a hostile encounter. countable, uncountable
"In Anatolia tensions between state officials (ehl-i örf) and the peasants were strained to breaking point. At several places—particularly in the frontier provinces—there were fierce clashes between the janissaries stationed there and the governors. In Aleppo and Damascus incidents were common after 1589: the kuls threw rocks at the beylerbeyi’s house, killed people, broke into the divan several times and took the money prepared by the council for remittance to the centre."
- 4 a loud resonant repeating noise wordnet
- 5 match; a game between two sides. countable, uncountable
"But they ran out of time and inspiration as Les Bleus set up a deserved semi-final clash with Wales."
Show 8 more definitions
- 6 a state of conflict between persons wordnet
- 7 An angry argument. countable, uncountable
- 8 a state of conflict between colors wordnet
- 9 Opposition; contradiction; such as between differing or contending interests, views, purposes etc. countable, uncountable
"clash of beliefs"
- 10 A combination of garments that do not look good together, especially because of conflicting colours. countable, uncountable
"She was wearing a horrible clash of red and orange."
- 11 An instance of restarting the game after a "dead ball", where it is dropped between two opposing players, who can fight for possession. countable, uncountable
- 12 Chatter; gossip; idle talk. Scotland, countable, uncountable
- 13 A heavy fall (of rain); heavy rain. UK, countable, dialectal, obsolete, possibly, uncountable
"clay soils ploughed in Autumn must often meet with heavy clashes of rain before frost: therefore , those salutary effects, expected to be derived from a frosty Winter, must often be frustrated, by the land being too much condensed by the rains before the frost comes on."
Verb
- 1 To make a clashing sound. intransitive
"The cymbals clashed."
- 2 disagree violently wordnet
- 3 To cause to make a clashing sound. transitive
"Thorfinn clashed his shield against Vallon's and swung his axe to hook Vallon's ankle."
- 4 crash together with violent impact wordnet
- 5 To come into violent conflict. intransitive
"Fans from opposing teams clashed on the streets after the game."
Show 7 more definitions
- 6 be incompatible; be or come into conflict wordnet
- 7 To argue angrily. intransitive
"My parents often clashed about minor things, such as the cleaning or shopping rota."
- 8 To face each other in an important game. intransitive
"The veteran American legend claims he and Welsh two-weight world champion Calzaghe will clash on 20 September, probably at The MGM Grand in Las Vegas."
- 9 To fail to look good together; to contrast unattractively; to fail to harmonize. intransitive
"You can't wear that shirt! It clashes with your trousers."
- 10 To coincide, to happen at the same time, thereby rendering it impossible to attend all. intransitive
"I can't come to your wedding because it clashes with a friend's funeral."
- 11 To chatter or gossip. Scotland, intransitive
- 12 To play Clash Royale or Clash of Clans. intransitive, slang
"Dude, are we clashing tonight?"
Example
"Our interests clash with theirs."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "clash"?
Common synonyms include: clang, clangor, crash, action, aerial combat, affray.
How do you use "clash" in a sentence?
Our interests clash with theirs.
How do you pronounce "clash"?
Pronounced /klæʃ/.
Etymology
Of onomatopoeic origin. Compare Saterland Frisian klatskje (“to smack, slap”), West Frisian kletse, kletskje, Dutch kletsen (“to smack, slap, clash”), German Low German klattsen, klatsken (“to smack, splash”), German klatschen (“to clap, smack, slap”) and Klatsch (“a clapping sound; the din resulting from two or more things colliding”), Danish klaske (“to clash, splatter”).