clash
clash — verb
1. to get into a physical fight or a loud argument with another person or group, of
to get into a physical fight or a loud argument with another person or group, often because of a serious disagreement.
The two groups of fans clashed outside the stadium after the final whistle.
clash + with + group; location after event
Protesters clashed with police in the city centre late last night.
clash + with + authority figure
Ravi and his brother clashed over who should inherit their father's old guitar.
clash + over + reason for conflict
Neighbours clashed with the construction company over the noise from the building site.
clash + with + company + over + issue
- clash with police
- clash over money
- fans clash
- troops clash
Grammar Patterns
clash + with + somebody
clash + over + something
Usage Note
The subject is typically two or more people or groups; a 'clash' is more sudden and violent than a simple argument. Often used with 'with' to name the opponent and 'over' to state the reason.
Common Mistakes
2. to be so strongly opposed to each other that two opinions, beliefs, statements,
to be so strongly opposed to each other that two opinions, beliefs, statements, or qualities cannot both be true or exist together.
Nadia's scientific beliefs clashed with the traditional teachings of her community.
beliefs clash + with + opposing system
The witness's statement clashed sharply with the evidence found at the scene.
statement + clash + with + evidence
Leila's cheerful personality clashed with the strict, silent atmosphere of the office.
personality + clash + with + atmosphere
Noa's belief in renewable energy clashed with his uncle's reliance on the family coal business.
belief in X clashes with reliance on Y; personal vs family values
- opinions clash
- values clash
- interests clash
- clash with beliefs
- conflict
broader; can be noun or verb; slightly more formal
- contradict
specifically about statements or evidence being opposite
- differ
milder; just means not the same, not necessarily opposed
Grammar Patterns
clash + with + something
opinions/views/ideas + clash
Usage Note
Subject is always two abstract things (opinions, statements, qualities, personalities) — never two people fighting physically. Use sense 1 for people fighting. Often takes 'with' to introduce the second item.
Common Mistakes
3. to compete against another person or team in a sports match or race, usually in
to compete against another person or team in a sports match or race, usually in a serious and intense way.
Brazil will clash with Germany in the World Cup semi-final next Tuesday.
team + clash with + opponent; sports event
The two top-ranked tennis players clashed in a thrilling final at Wimbledon.
players clash in + event
Local rivals Osaka and Tokyo clashed on the rugby pitch for the championship title.
local rivals + clash + for + prize
The two chess grandmasters will clash in a world championship match next month.
individuals clash; non-physical competition
- teams clash
- champions clash
- clash in the final
Grammar Patterns
clash + with + opponent
teams clash
Usage Note
Common in sports journalism to describe a highly anticipated or intense match. Unlike sense 1, there is no implication of violence or anger — just strong competition.
Common Mistakes
4. to look unpleasant or wrong when placed together, especially referring to colour
to look unpleasant or wrong when placed together, especially referring to colours or design styles that do not combine well visually.
Aiko's bright orange scarf clashed horribly with the purple walls of the café.
colour + clash with + colour
The modern glass table clashed with the antique wooden furniture in the living room.
style + clash with + style
Rashida loved her pink trainers, but they clashed with her school uniform.
clothing item + clash with + outfit
Kwame chose a grey shirt because his stylist told him the green one clashed with his skin tone.
colour clash with skin tone; fashion advice
- colours clash
- patterns clash
- clash with the decor
- conflict
broader; works for colours but also for many other things
- not go with
everyday spoken English: 'that shirt doesn't go with those trousers'
Grammar Patterns
colours/s + clash + with + colour/s
pattern + clash
Usage Note
Almost always used for colours, patterns, or design styles. The verb is not used in continuous forms (we don't say 'is clashing'). Usually followed by 'with' to name the other element.
Common Mistakes
5. to be scheduled for the same time as another event, causing a problem for people
to be scheduled for the same time as another event, causing a problem for people who want to attend or take part in both.
The board meeting clashed with the project deadline, so Tomás could not attend both.
event + clash with + event
The two concerts clashed, forcing fans to choose between their favourite bands.
events clash; consequence stated
Yara was upset because her piano exam clashed with her best friend's wedding.
personal event + clash with + personal event
The wedding reception clashed with the national holiday, so many guests could not get a hotel room.
event clash with holiday; practical consequence
- dates clash
- schedules clash
- appointments clash
- clash with a meeting
Grammar Patterns
events clash
schedules clash
Usage Note
British English primarily. In American English, 'conflict' is more common for scheduling overlaps. The verb is not used in continuous forms. Often followed by 'with' to name the other event.
Common Mistakes
6. to make or cause a loud, harsh ringing sound like pieces of metal being struck t
to make or cause a loud, harsh ringing sound like pieces of metal being struck together.
The swords clashed loudly as the two knights fought in the courtyard.
metal objects clash (intransitive)
The cook clashed the metal pots together to get everyone's attention in the kitchen.
transitive use: clashed + object + together
Every morning the old pipes in the wall clashed when the heating came on.
inanimate subject; habitual action
When the train stopped suddenly, the metal luggage racks clashed noisily above the passengers.
intransitive; inanimate subject; sudden event
- swords clash
- cymbals clash
- pots clash
- metal clashes
Grammar Patterns
something clashes
clash + object + against + object
Usage Note
This sense can be intransitive (metal objects clash) or transitive (someone clashes objects together). The sound is typically sharp, ringing, and metallic — not a soft or muffled sound.
Common Mistakes
clash — noun
1. a short physical fight or a loud angry argument between two people or groups.
a short physical fight or a loud angry argument between two people or groups.
A violent clash broke out between rival gangs in the market square.
clash + between + groups
The senator had a heated clash with a journalist during the live interview.
clash + with + person
Three people were injured in the clash between protesters and security guards.
clash + between + two sides; result stated
Witnesses reported a bloody clash between rival motorcycle gangs at the petrol station.
bloody clash + between + gangs; news-style
- violent clash
- clash between rivals
- clash with police
- deadly clash
- fight
more general; can be planned or unplanned
- confrontation
more formal; implies direct opposition
- skirmish
a small, brief fight, often between military groups
- truce
an agreement to stop fighting
Usage Note
A 'clash' is more sudden and aggressive than an 'argument' but shorter than a 'war' or 'battle'. Often used in news reports about protests, sports fans, or political conflicts.
Common Mistakes
2. a condition where two opinions, ideas, interests, or cultures stand in such stro
a condition where two opinions, ideas, interests, or cultures stand in such strong opposition to one another that they cannot comfortably co-exist.
There was a clash of cultures when the company expanded into the Middle East.
clash of + abstract noun
The clash between Diego's dream of travelling and his father's plan for the family restaurant soured every dinner at home.
clash between + dream/practical plan; personal conflict with consequence
The new policy created a clash of interests between shareholders and the board.
clash of + interests; formal context
The clash between modern architecture and the city's historic skyline divided public opinion.
clash between + abstract concepts; public debate
- clash of cultures
- clash of interests
- clash of personalities
Grammar Patterns
clash + between + opinions/values
clash + of + interests/cultures
Usage Note
Unlike noun sense 1, this sense does NOT involve physical fighting or shouting — it is about abstract opposition. Commonly used in set phrases: 'clash of cultures', 'clash of interests', 'clash of personalities'.
Common Mistakes
3. a sports match or competition between two strong opponents, especially one that
a sports match or competition between two strong opponents, especially one that people are excited to watch.
Tomorrow's clash between the two unbeaten teams is already sold out.
clash + between + teams; high anticipation
The heavyweight boxing clash drew millions of viewers around the world.
boxing/sports clash + drew + audience
Fans travelled from across the country to watch the clash at the national stadium.
clash + location; fan perspective
The quarter-final clash between Japan and Argentina kept fans on the edge of their seats.
quarter-final clash; keeps fans excited
- title clash
- cup clash
- local derby clash
- semi-final clash
Usage Note
Very common in sports headlines and commentary. The word suggests a high-stakes, exciting contest between evenly matched opponents. Less common for friendly or low-profile matches.
Common Mistakes
4. an unpleasant visual effect caused by two or more colours or design styles that
an unpleasant visual effect caused by two or more colours or design styles that do not go well together.
The clash between her red lipstick and orange dress was hard to ignore.
clash between + colour items
Interior designers try to avoid a clash of patterns in the same room.
clash of + patterns; professional context
The bold yellow wallpaper created a terrible clash with the blue carpet.
colour clash + with + other colour
Mira's outfit was a deliberate clash of bright neon colours that somehow looked artistic.
deliberate clash; artistic statement
- colour clash
- pattern clash
- terrible clash
Grammar Patterns
clash + between + colours/styles
Usage Note
Less common than the verb sense; mostly used in discussions about fashion, interior design, and art. Often described with adjectives like 'terrible', 'awful', or 'unfortunate'.
Common Mistakes
5. an inconvenient situation in which two events or activities are scheduled for th
an inconvenient situation in which two events or activities are scheduled for the same time.
There was a clash between the history lecture and the chemistry lab, so Wen had to skip one.
clash between + two events; consequence
The clash in the exam timetable meant that Ines had two papers on the same morning.
clash in + schedule/timetable
A schedule clash forced the team to move their training session to Thursday evening.
schedule clash + forced + change
Priya found a calendar clash: her yoga class and the parent meeting were at the same hour.
calendar clash; informal verb 'found'
- schedule clash
- timetable clash
- clash of dates
Grammar Patterns
clash + between + events
clash + in + schedule
Usage Note
British English; American speakers usually say 'conflict' instead. The word is countable — you can have 'a clash' or 'several clashes' in your schedule.
Common Mistakes
6. a loud, harsh ringing sound like metal objects being struck together.
a loud, harsh ringing sound like metal objects being struck together.
The clash of cymbals marked the dramatic start of the orchestra's performance.
clash of + musical instrument
A loud clash came from the kitchen when Sven dropped the stack of baking trays.
loud clash + came from + location
The blacksmith's hammer made a ringing clash against the iron on the anvil.
ringing clash; metal-on-metal context
The clash of the heavy iron gate closing echoed through the empty corridor.
clash of + object; echoing sound
- clash of swords
- clash of cymbals
- loud clash
- metallic clash
Usage Note
Can describe the sound of cymbals, swords, pots, tools, or any metal objects. The noun form often appears with 'of' to name the source of the sound: 'the clash of swords', 'the clash of cymbals'.
Common Mistakes
Word family
- clashingadjectiveC2
- clashinglyadverbC2
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
All four words describe a situation where people oppose each other, but they differ in intensity, duration, and focus. 'Clash' suggests a sudden, often violent encounter — two groups of fans clashing after a match is brief and explosive. 'Fight' is broader: it covers everything from a playground scuffle to a planned boxing match, and can be physical or verbal ('they fought over money'). 'Brawl' is specifically a messy, disorganised physical fight involving multiple people, typically in a public place like a bar or street. 'Confront' is more deliberate and direct — to confront someone is to face them intentionally, often verbally, rather than colliding with them in the heat of the moment. For a learner: use 'clash' when the conflict is sudden and dramatic; use 'fight' for most everyday situations; use 'brawl' only for chaotic group violence; and use 'confront' when someone chooses to address a problem head-on. 'The two politicians clashed during the debate' implies a heated spontaneous exchange, while 'the politician confronted her opponent about the lie' suggests a planned, pointed challenge.
Common collocations
Nouns
- police
- protesters
- fans
- rivals
- troops
- cultures
- opinions
- interests
- colours
- schedules
- swords
- cymbals
Adverbs
- violently
- repeatedly
- directly
- sharply
- openly
Phrases
- clash of interests
- clash of cultures
- clash of opinions
- clash of personalities
Prepositions
- with
- between
- over
- against
- in
Etymology
First recorded in English around the year 1500. The word is likely imitative (onomatopoeic) — it directly echoes the harsh metallic sound it describes ('clash!'). Similar words exist in other Germanic languages: Middle Dutch 'classen' and German 'klatschen' both mean to strike or make a cracking sound. By the 1600s, English speakers were already using the word figuratively for arguments and conflicts, extending the physical noise of metal hitting metal to the 'noise' of opinions colliding. The sporting sense emerged in the early 1900s as newspapers looked for dramatic verbs to describe competitions.