clash

noun

/klæʃ/

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fight

clash (with somebody) | clash (between A and B) a short fight between two groups of people

Clashes broke out between police and demonstrators.
Eight people were wounded in a clash with border guards.
Several people were injured in violent clashes with the police.

Synonyms fightfight

clash
brawl
struggle
scuffle

These are all words for a situation in which people try to defeat each other using physical force.

fight
a situation in which two or more people try to defeat each other using physical force:
- He got into a fight with a man in the bar.
clash
(journalism) a short fight between two groups of people:
- Clashes broke out between police and demonstrators.
brawl
a noisy and violent fight involving a group of people, usually in a public place:
- a drunken brawl in a bar
struggle
a fight between two people or groups of people, especially when one of them is trying to escape, or to get something from the other:
- There were no signs of a struggle at the murder scene.
scuffle
a short and not very violent fight or struggle:
- He was involved in a scuffle with a photographer.

Patterns

a fight/clash/brawl/struggle/scuffle over something
in a fight/brawl/struggle/scuffle
a violent fight/clash/struggle
to be in/get into/be involved in a fight/clash/brawl/scuffle
a fight/clash/brawl/scuffle breaks out

Topics War and conflictc1

Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective

angry
bitter
fierce
…

verb + clash

lead to
provoke
avoid
…

clash + verb

break out
erupt
occur
…

preposition

in a/the clash
clash between
clash of
…

phrases

a clash of cultures
a clash of interests
a clash of wills
…

See full entry

argument

clash (with somebody) (over something) | clash (between A and B) (over something) an argument between two people or groups of people who have different beliefs and ideas synonym conflict

There has been a head-on clash between the two candidates over education policy.

Extra Examples

Differences in the aims of the two unions have led to serious clashes over policy.
The leaders are preparing for a head-on clash at the summit.

Topics Opinion and argumentc1

Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective

angry
bitter
fierce
…

verb + clash

lead to
provoke
avoid
…

clash + verb

break out
erupt
occur
…

preposition

in a/the clash
clash between
clash of
…

phrases

a clash of cultures
a clash of interests
a clash of wills
…

See full entry

difference

the difference that exists between two things that are opposed to each other synonym conflict

a clash of interests/opinions/cultures
a personality clash with the boss

Extra Examples

Simply put, the conflict comes down to a clash of cultures.
Personality clashes led to the break-up of the band.

Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective

angry
bitter
fierce
…

verb + clash

lead to
provoke
avoid
…

clash + verb

break out
erupt
occur
…

preposition

in a/the clash
clash between
clash of
…

phrases

a clash of cultures
a clash of interests
a clash of wills
…

See full entry

of two events

a situation in which two events happen at the same time so that you cannot go to or see them both

a clash in the timetable/schedule

loud noise

[usually singular] a loud noise made by two metal objects being hit together

a clash of cymbals/swords

in sport

(used in newspapers, about sports) an occasion when two teams or players compete against each other

Bayern’s clash with Roma in the Champions League

of colours

the situation when two colours, designs, etc. look ugly when they are put together

Word Originearly 16th cent.: imitative.

clash

verb

/klæʃ/

Verb Forms

present simple I / you / we / they clash	/klæʃ/ /klæʃ/
he / she / it clashes	/ˈklæʃɪz/ /ˈklæʃɪz/
past simple clashed	/klæʃt/ /klæʃt/
past participle clashed	/klæʃt/ /klæʃt/
-ing form clashing	/ˈklæʃɪŋ/ /ˈklæʃɪŋ/

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fight/compete

[intransitive] clash (with somebody) to come together and fight or compete in a contest

The two sets of supporters clashed outside the stadium.
The two teams clash in tomorrow's final.
Demonstrators clashed violently with police.
They often clash violently with rival gangs.

Topics War and conflictc2

Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb

violently
frequently
repeatedly
…

preposition

on
over
with
…

See full entry

argue

[intransitive] clash (with somebody) (over/on something) to argue or disagree seriously with somebody about something, and to show this in public

The leaders and members clashed on the issue.
The leaders clashed with party members on the issue.

Extra Examples

He has clashed repeatedly with the team coach over training schedules.
He clashed with his father over politics.
The Prime Minister and his old rival clashed over European policy.

Topics Opinion and argumentc2

Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb

violently
frequently
repeatedly
…

preposition

on
over
with
…

See full entry

be different

[intransitive] clash (with something) (of beliefs, ideas or personalities) to be very different and opposed to each other

His left-wing views clashed with his father's politics.
His views and his father's clashed.
They have clashing personalities.

of two events

[intransitive] clash (with something) (of events) to happen at the same time so that you cannot go to or see them both

Unfortunately your party clashes with a wedding I'm going to.
There are two good movies on TV tonight, but they clash.

of colours

[intransitive] clash (with something) (of colours, patterns or styles) to look ugly when put together

The wallpaper clashes with the carpet.
The wallpaper and the carpet clash.
Do you think these colours clash?

Topics Colours and Shapesc2

make loud noise

[intransitive, transitive] to hit together and make a loud ringing noise; to make two metal objects do this

clash (together) The long blades clashed together.
clash something (together) She clashed the cymbals.

Word Originearly 16th cent.: imitative.