From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishclashclash1 /klæʃ/ ●●○ verb 1 [intransitive]FIGHT 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 reportsclash with Democrats clashed with Republicans in a heated debate.clash over/on The two men have clashed over the report’s conclusions.3 [intransitive]SUIT/LOOK GOOD TOGETHER if two colours or designs clash, they look very bad togetherclash with I can’t wear red – it clashes with my hair.4 [intransitive]TIME/AT THE SAME TIME especially British English if two events clash, they happen at the same time in a way that is inconvenient SYN conflict American Englishclash with The announcement has been delayed to avoid clashing with the prime minister’s speech.5 [intransitive, transitive]SOUND if two pieces of metal clash, or if you clash them, they make a loud ringing sound The cymbals clashed.→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
clash• We can go to both classes if they don't clash.• Choose bright colors, but make sure they don't clash.• Animal rights activists and fox-hunters clashed at the annual Boxing Day hunt.• I've a worrying feeling that the Medau Annual Reunion may clash - I do hope it doesn't.• Iranian and Iraqi troops clashed on the border.• The two have often clashed on these and other issues.• France and Britain are likely to clash over the proposed space programme.• That scarf clashes terribly with her green coat.• The colors clash, the furniture is ugly, and nobody is happy about this.• And though they regularly clashed, they were undoubtedly in love.• We've rescheduled the next meeting -- it clashed with a conference that most of us will be attending.• Police clashed with demonstrators for the second time in a week.• US planes clashed with enemy fighter aircraft again today.• Premier John Major could clash with him on five big issues.• I can't wear red - it clashes with my hair.• Democrats clashed with Republicans last night in a heated debate about unemployment.• The couple have clashed with the Archbishop of York over their wish.• "Are you watching Family Fortunes tonight?" "No, it clashes with the Tina Turner interview on Channel 3."clash with• More than 3000 demonstrators clashed with police on Sunday.• Humphrey has often clashed with Republican leaders over tax cuts.• Ten soldiers were wounded in a clash with the rebels.• No, the red tie will clash with your shirt.clash over/on• Politics, page 6 Chief medical officer disputes government statement Sugar report sparks clash on health risk.• Yet throughout this period the Bund contained two tendencies which clashed on major issues but had the means to promote their perspectives.• The professional versus administrator clash is a second structurally induced clash over power.• Protestors welcomed the official objection although some were concerned that different government departments had clashed over the matter.• There would be clashes on the periphery but none between the major powers.• The two have often clashed on these and other issues.• An amateur photographer on the shore captured last week's clash on videotape and its revelations aroused outrage.clashclash2 ●●○ noun [countable] 1 WARFIGHTa short fight between two armies or groups – used in news reports armed clashes along the borderclash between/with violent clashes between police and demonstrators2 ARGUEan argument between two people or groups because they have very different beliefs or opinions – used in news reportsclash 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 TIME/FREE TIMEa situation in which two events happen at the same time in a way that is inconvenient a scheduling clash on TV5 SOUNDa loud sound made by two metal objects hitting each other the clash of swords6 SUIT/LOOK GOOD TOGETHERa combination of two colours, designs etc that look bad together a colour clashCOLLOCATIONSadjectivesa violent clashFour 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 clashThis was one of the most serious clashes since the two countries agreed to a ceasefire.a minor clashMinor 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.verbslead to a clashThe anti-war protests led to violent clashes between police and demonstrators.a clash occursA number of clashes occurred throughout the south between these opposing groups.a clash breaks outArmed clashes broke out on Tuesday between the military and the rebels.a clash takes placeFierce clashes took place with local police.be killed/injured in a clashEight people were killed in clashes between the army and police. Examples from the Corpus
clash• Problems arise where there is a clash of cultures.• In the last two months, there have been numerous border clashes.• border clashes between India and Pakistan• The two co-exist as memories of their cultures, with a healthy clash where the two collide in the entrance foyer.• Minor clashes were reported to have taken place between police and students at Lima's San Marcos University.• Combs said he did not see a man throwing money at him, an incident that the prosecution says sparked the clash.• The clashes came as farmers blockaded roads.• No one should be too surprised at these clashes.• More than 75 people died and hundreds were wounded in those clashes.• And with Leonard ruled out of that Wembley clash, Hynes could claim his place today.• There were clashes last night between local residents and young people attending the rock festival.clash between/with• Mr Kasyanov seems now to be playing for time, hoping to get through January without ferocious clashes with creditors.• Later Harris clashed with the abrasive Fearnley Whittingstall as to whether the actor's hair had been dyed or not.• A sheep that is attacked will spin round to make sure that the attacker's horns clash with his own.• He also began to believe that clashes between the two most important opposition figures would sap their strength.• The tie of next Saturday's second round will be the clash between Bangor and holders Malone.• On May 8 Chamlong led another large rally at Democracy Monument, where some demonstrators came close to clashing with riot police.• Today, the Ulstermen clash with holders Munster for the title after the southerners nosed past Leinster by 7-6.clash between/with• Mr Kasyanov seems now to be playing for time, hoping to get through January without ferocious clashes with creditors.• Later Harris clashed with the abrasive Fearnley Whittingstall as to whether the actor's hair had been dyed or not.• A sheep that is attacked will spin round to make sure that the attacker's horns clash with his own.• He also began to believe that clashes between the two most important opposition figures would sap their strength.• The tie of next Saturday's second round will be the clash between Bangor and holders Malone.• On May 8 Chamlong led another large rally at Democracy Monument, where some demonstrators came close to clashing with riot police.• Today, the Ulstermen clash with holders Munster for the title after the southerners nosed past Leinster by 7-6.Clash, TheThe ClashClash, The a British punk band which started performing in 1976. Their albums include The Clash and London Calling. Their success continued even when punk was no longer fashionable.Origin clash1 (1500-1600) From the sound of sharp blows 