CLASHES Synonyms: 120 Similar and Opposite Words

clashes 1 of 2

noun

plural of clash

as in skirmishes

a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups a clash between rival gangs that resulted in some serious injuries

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

truces

as in rattles

the loud sound made when metal strikes metal the clash of cymbals

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clashes

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of clash

as in conflicts

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of clashes

Noun

After months of sharp clashes, the winners of Tuesday’s primaries are now pivoting for another round of battles against new challengers in the November election. — Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026 Ultimately, the immediate need for affordable, abundant solar capacity clashes with the goal of a self-sufficient supply chain, making price the primary driver for now. — Ken Silverstein, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026 In 2013, clashes between his supporters and opponents killed 18 Lebanese soldiers. — ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026 Through hardships, culture clashes and humorous moments lost in translation, Ivan will, over the course of the series, take on the Herculean task of building a business and rebuilding a life. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026 Continue reading … CITY LIMITS – Mamdani clashes with Democratic Socialists' push to abolish police and prisons. — FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2026 The act grants coastal states the right to review and object to any project in federal waters that clashes with state policy. — Rosanna Xia, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026 As the moon clashes with Mercury, beware of presenting your biases as fact. — Usa Today, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026 The company's clashes with unions date back years, with battles over employment status, arbitration proceedings, working conditions, and more rendering it a marquee villain in the eyes of labor advocates. — Paxton Honerkamp, CNBC, 1 Aug. 2026

Verb

Avoid jumping to conclusions as the moon clashes with Mercury. — Usa Today, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026 Elsewhere, Rhaenyra clashes with Lord Corlys, refusing to legitimize his sons Addam and Alyn with her hold on power so tenuous. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026 The resulting design gives the consumer-favorite 9060 a sleeker appearance, which clashes with its otherwise bulky proportions. — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 14 July 2026 Nader is set to play Selene, a captain of the Zuma Beach Lifeguards, who often clashes with Amell's character, Hobie Buchannon, her fellow co-captain. — Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 19 June 2026 Just be mindful when Venus clashes with Pluto retrograde on June 17 — attraction can turn into obsession if power dynamics (or boundaries) are off. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026 Azure Blue Azure blue also clashes with the warm, 3000K, soft white bulb that most of us prefer for a relaxing soak. — Natasha Bazika, Martha Stewart, 9 May 2026 Matty is a blustering, blue-collar Bostonian who sees himself as the unequivocal boss of the house and frequently clashes with his liberal niece Blaire, an outspoken college student who often finds herself at odds with her more traditional-minded relatives. — Katie Campione, Deadline, 23 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for clashes

Noun

Frantic skirmishes between the family and the beast take place as the house floods, and eventually the invading creature is tangled up in a trap.

— William Earl, Variety, 8 Aug. 2026
What followed were decades of a seemingly endless cycle of skirmishes, all-out wars, and (sometimes failed) peace accords.

— Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of skirmishes

Noun

Drummer Jay Russell kept to stark rattles, Sam Shipstone patched in his scratchy electric guitar, and Ryan Needham needled through grumbling basslines.

— Victoria Borlando, Pitchfork, 24 July 2026
Jigs with rattles are most productive and a big, active trailer is the way to go in muddy water.

— David A. Brown, Outdoor Life, 1 July 2026

Definition of rattles

Verb

The business of asset management often conflicts with the business of investing—an interesting paradox.

— Fortune Editors, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2026
This directly conflicts with at least one existing state law, California's SB53, raising complex questions about which specific state provisions, like whistleblower protections, would survive.

— Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

Definition of conflicts

Noun

Shields appears to be positioning herself for more competitive fights against women in smaller weight classes.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Healthcare could emerge as one of the defining policy fights in Georgia's race for governor, according to a new statewide poll that found concerns over cost, access and quality cut across political lines.

— Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of fights

Noun

Bryan DiGirolamo, special agent in charge of ATF New York, told CNN the more guns are traced, the more crimes between the US and Canada can be linked, ultimately exposing trafficking rings.

— Mark Morales, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
While formal entertaining is less common today, finding napkin rings, butter pats, and sterling silver tableware is a true treasure.

— Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of rings

Noun

Louder Than Fear, directed by Justin Krook and Michael Dwyer, documents the star’s journey to fame and his personal battles, including the aftermath of his 2008 private plane crash.

— Daniela Avila, PEOPLE, 7 Aug. 2026
The eviction process was protracted and followed a series of complex legal battles led by residents of the encampment, who organized as a collective to advocate for their rights.

— Zac Ntim, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of battles

Noun

The soundtrack—by the frequent Hans Zimmer collaborator David Fleming—is a delight, a polyphonic mood board of ghost-clangs, spooky bassoons, lyrical electro-motifs, and sighing sea themes.

— James Parker, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026
The album’s official versions smooth out some of the buzzy sibilance of the bootlegs, but Hold Onto Me Infinity accommodates lots of tasteful clangs and wubs.

— H.D. Angel, Pitchfork, 2 June 2026