clash
KLASH
/klæʃ/
A violent confrontation or a sharp conflict between opposing ideas, colors, or sounds.
Often implies a sudden, loud, or very visible meeting of opposites; it can be physical or metaphorical.
The story behind the word. The word 'clash' is an onomatopoeia, meaning it sounds like the action it describes. It emerged in Middle English to mimic the sound of two hard objects, like metal shields or swords, hitting each other.
Word relationships
- collision: Collision is more physical; clash is more often used for ideas or colors.
- harmony: Harmony is the pleasing arrangement of parts; clash is their jarring meeting.
Commonly confused with
- crash: A crash is an accident or impact; a clash is a conflict between opposing forces.
Word family
- clashing (adjective): Incompatible or jarring.
Collocations
- clash of cultures
- clash of personalities
- violent clash
- schedule clash
Idioms & expressions
- clash of titans
Example sentences
- "The clash of swords could be heard from the valley below." Describing a historical battle.
- "The two leaders had a major clash over environmental policy during the summit." Describing a policy disagreement.
Memory hook
Think of the 'CL' in 'clash' and 'clang'—both involve loud, metal-on-metal sounds. Loud sounds and bright colors that don't match.
When not to use
Avoid using for subtle, long-term disagreements where no direct meeting occurs.
Fun facts
- In fashion, 'clashing' colors are often used intentionally to create a bold, high-contrast look.
Related words
Explore more words
altercation, dissonant, friction, discord, dissonance, upheaval
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