I. clash 1 /klæʃ/ BrE AmE verb
[ Date: 1500-1600 ; Origin: From the sound of sharp blows ]
1 . [intransitive] if two armies, groups etc clash, they start fighting – used in news reports:
Troops clashed near the border.
clash with
Police have clashed with demonstrators again today.
2 . [intransitive] if two people or groups clash, they argue because they have very different beliefs and opinions – used in news reports
clash with
Democrats clashed with Republicans in a heated debate.
clash over/on
The two men have clashed over the report’s conclusions.
3 . [intransitive] if two colours or designs clash, they look very bad together
clash with
I can’t wear red – it clashes with my hair.
4 . [intransitive] especially British English if two events clash, they happen at the same time in a way that is inconvenient SYN conflict American English
clash with
The announcement has been delayed to avoid clashing with the Prime Minister’s speech.
5 . [intransitive and transitive] if two pieces of metal clash, or if you clash them, they make a loud ringing sound:
The cymbals clashed.
II. clash 2 BrE AmE noun [countable]
1 . a short fight between two armies or groups – used in news reports:
armed clashes along the border
clash between/with
violent clashes between police and demonstrators
2 . an argument between two people or groups because they have very different beliefs or opinions – used in news reports
clash between/with
The plans put oil companies in a head-on clash with environmentalists.
personality/culture clash (=a situation in which two people or groups do not like each other)
3 . a sports match between two teams, players etc that is expected to be very exciting – used in sports reports:
The heavyweight clash goes ahead in Las Vegas on 8 May.
4 . a situation in which two events happen at the same time in a way that is inconvenient:
a scheduling clash on TV
5 . a loud sound made by two metal objects hitting each other:
the clash of swords
6 . a combination of two colours, designs etc that look bad together:
a colour clash
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ adjectives
▪ a violent clash
Four people were killed during violent clashes with the army.
▪ a fierce/bitter clash (=involving violence and strong feelings)
Fierce clashes swept across Bosnia and Croatia.
▪ a serious clash
This was one of the most serious clashes since the two countries agreed to a ceasefire.
▪ a minor clash
Minor clashes were reported to have taken place between police and students.
▪ an armed clash (=involving the use of weapons)
The violence could soon become armed clashes and even a war.
▪ an ethnic clash (=between people of different races)
20 people died in ethnic clashes before Christmas.
■ verbs
▪ lead to a clash
The anti-war protests led to violent clashes between police and demonstrators.
▪ a clash occurs
A number of clashes occurred throughout the south between these opposing groups.
▪ a clash breaks out
Armed clashes broke out on Tuesday between the military and the rebels.
▪ a clash takes place
Fierce clashes took place with local police.
▪ be killed/injured in a clash
Eight people were killed in clashes between the army and police.