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Definitions

clash

[klash] / klæʃ /
NOUN
disagreement or fight, often brief
Synonyms
STRONGEST
argument battle brawl conflict confrontation crash dispute encounter fracas melee misunderstanding rift riot showdown skirmish
STRONG
affray break broil brush bump collision concussion discord discordance disharmony embroilment engagement fray impact jam jar jolt jump opposition row rumpus run-in rupture scrap scrimmage set-to shock smash wallop
WEAK
difference of opinion donnybrook have a go at each other mix up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
agreement calm concord harmony peace truce
STRONG
compatibility
VERB
hit with a loud noise
Synonyms
STRONGEST
collide smash
STRONG
bang bump clang clank clatter crash grate grind jangle jar jolt prang rattle scrap scrimmage shock wallop
Antonyms
STRONG
agree harmonize
WEAK
match
VERB
fight about, often verbally
Synonyms
STRONGEST
argue battle contend differ disagree encounter feud quarrel try wrangle
STRONG
brawl buck combat conflict fret gall grapple grate row war
WEAK
bang heads cross swords mix it up raise Cain
Antonyms
STRONGEST
abstain agree consent give in harmonize make peace retreat surrender
STRONG
make happy please
WEAK
match
VERB
do not match
Synonyms
STRONGEST
differ
STRONG
conflict contrast disaccord discord disharmonize mismatch
WEAK
be dissimilar not go with
Antonyms
STRONG
agree
WEAK
match

Usage

What are other ways to say clash?

The noun clash implies a direct and sharp collision between opposing parties, efforts, interests, etc.: a clash of opinions. Struggle implies vigorous bodily effort or violent exertion: a hand-to-hand struggle. A brush is a brief encounter or skirmish: a brush with the law.

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.

According to technology news website The Information, Elon Musk's AI firm xAI also struck a deal with the Pentagon after its clash with Anthropic.

From Barron's • Apr. 29, 2026

LIV bosses are also said to want to avoid a clash with the World Cup.

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026

The clash in a courtroom across the bay from San Francisco pits the world's richest man against a startup that Musk once backed and now competes against in the booming AI sector.

From Barron's • Apr. 25, 2026

The investigation is one in a number of signals of a growing trans-Atlantic clash over how—and whether—big tech companies like TikTok, Instagram and X should police online speech.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

Zero dwells at the juxtaposition of quantum mechanics and relativity; zero lives where the two theories meet, and zero causes the two theories to clash.

From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife