clash
gb/klˈæʃ/ us/klˈæʃ/
B2
English
~ 10000
összecsap, összecsapás, konfliktus, ütközés, nem illik össze, elüt, csattanás, összecsattan, ütközik, rangadó
VERB
B2
1
összecsap
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] clashes with [someone/something] (over [something])
Demonstrators clashed with police outside the parliament building.
A tüntetők összecsaptak a rendőrökkel a parlament épülete előtt.
The two leaders have often clashed over immigration policy.
A két vezető gyakran összecsapott a bevándorlási politika miatt.
Residents clashed with the company at the meeting about the new factory.
Parents are clashing with the school board over the proposed changes.
Her views on climate change clash with those of many in her party.
Learner examples
Students clashed with security guards after the game.
A diákok a meccs után összecsaptak a biztonsági őrökkel.
The two candidates clashed during the TV debate.
A két jelölt összecsapott a tévévitában.
My parents often clash about money.
Workers clashed with managers over long working hours.
The group clashed with local people about the new road.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *clash* like a direct verb with an object (e.g., *He clashed him*). In this sense, *clash* is intransitive and usually followed by *with*: *He clashed with him*. Another confusion is with *crash*, which is used for accidents, especially with vehicles.
Meaning
to come into serious conflict
Collocations
clash with police
|clash with protesters
|clash with rivals
|clash over policy
|clash over values
Synonyms
conflict (More general and slightly more formal; can be quieter or longer-term than a clash.)
|
fight (More physical or emotional; less often used for abstract disagreements between ideas or policies.)
Antonyms
cooperate (Emphasizes working together instead of being in strong opposition.)
Themes
conflict
|politics
|society
|relationships
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To strongly fight or disagree with someone or something, sometimes in a loud or violent way.
To be in serious opposition or conflict, especially between people, groups, or their opinions, often involving a strong argument or even violence.
NOUN
B2
2
összecsapás
B2
Usage pattern:
a clash between [group] and [group]
Several people were injured in clashes between protesters and police.
Többen megsérültek a tüntetők és a rendőrök közötti összecsapásokban.
Border clashes have continued for a third day.
A határ menti összecsapások immár harmadik napja folytatódnak.
The government warned that further clashes would not be tolerated.
Tensions led to clashes outside the stadium after the match.
The report described a series of violent clashes in the capital.
Learner examples
There were clashes between fans after the game.
Összecsapások voltak a szurkolók között a meccs után.
Police tried to stop clashes in the city center.
A rendőrség megpróbálta megakadályozni az összecsapásokat a belvárosban.
Two groups had a clash outside the bar.
The news showed clashes in the streets.
The clash left many people hurt.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *a clash with* when they mean both sides (e.g., *a clash with police and protesters*). More natural is *clashes between police and protesters* when talking about two sides.
Meaning
a serious fight or confrontation
Collocations
violent clashes
|clashes between protesters and police
|deadly clashes
|street clashes
|border clashes
Synonyms
confrontation (Focuses more on the face-to-face meeting and strong disagreement; not always violent.)
Antonyms
truce (Refers to stopping fighting or conflict, the opposite situation of a clash.)
Themes
conflict
|society
|news
|politics
|law
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A strong fight or battle between people or groups, sometimes with violence.
A serious fight or violent confrontation between people or groups, often in the street or during protests, matches, or wars.
NOUN
B2
3
konfliktus
B2
ütközés
B2
Usage pattern:
a clash between [abstract thing] and [abstract thing]; a clash of [plural abstract noun]
The film explores the clash between tradition and modern life.
A film a hagyomány és a modern élet közötti konfliktust vizsgálja.
There was a clear culture clash when the company opened its first office abroad.
Egyértelmű kulturális konfliktus alakult ki, amikor a cég megnyitotta első külföldi irodáját.
A personality clash between the two managers affected the whole team.
The project failed because of a clash of interests between investors and local residents.
Her decision reflects a growing clash of values within the community.
Learner examples
Moving abroad, he felt a culture clash at his new school.
Külföldre költözve kulturális konfliktust érzett az új iskolájában.
There is a clash between my work life and family life.
Konfliktus van a munkám és a családi életem között.
We had a personality clash and could not work together.
The clash of interests stopped the business deal.
The book is about a clash of cultures.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *culture crash* instead of *culture clash*. Also, remember to use *of* with some phrases (*a clash of cultures*, *a clash of interests*) and *between* when naming two sides (*a clash between old and new ideas*).
Meaning
strong conflict of ideas or styles
Collocations
culture clash
|clash of cultures
|personality clash
|clash of interests
|clash of values
Synonyms
conflict (General word for disagreement; *clash* often feels stronger or more sudden.)
Antonyms
harmony (Suggests things fit well together without conflict, the opposite of a clash between ideas or styles.)
Themes
society
|culture
|work
|communication
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A strong problem or disagreement when ideas, beliefs, or ways of life are very different.
A strong and often long-lasting conflict between different ideas, beliefs, personalities, or ways of life, usually not involving physical violence.
VERB
B2
4
elüt
B2
Usage pattern:
[color/style/sound] clashes with [color/style/sound]
Her bright pink shoes clash with the orange dress.
Az élénk rózsaszín cipője nem illik a narancssárga ruhához.
The new building completely clashes with the historic town center.
Az új épület egyáltalán nem illik a történelmi városközponthoz.
The colors on that website really clash and are hard to look at.
His tie clashes with his shirt, making the outfit look strange.
The loud music clashes with the quiet atmosphere of the restaurant.
Learner examples
These two colors clash.
Ez a két szín nem illik össze.
My red shirt clashes with these green pants.
A piros ingem nem illik ehhez a zöld nadrághoz.
The modern house clashes with the old street.
The music clashes with the soft lights.
Her bag clashes with her coat.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *clash* here to mean simply *be different*. It usually implies the difference is unpleasant or ugly, not just different. Also, avoid *clash to*; use *clash with*: *The curtains clash with the sofa.*
Meaning
to look or sound bad together
Collocations
colors that clash
|clashing colors
|clash with the curtains
|clash with the furniture
|clash badly
Synonyms
mismatch (General term for not going well together; *clash* often suggests a stronger, more unpleasant effect.)
Antonyms
complement (Means to go very well with something, often in color or style, the opposite of clashing.)
Themes
appearance
|art
|daily life
|daily_life
|clothing
|arts_entertainment
Definition
To not look or sound good together because they are very different.
To look or sound unpleasant together because the colors, styles, or sounds are too different or do not go well with each other.
NOUN
C1
5
csattanás
B2
Usage pattern:
the clash of [plural hard objects]
The only sound was the clash of swords in the courtyard.
Az udvaron csak a kardok csattanása hallatszott.
There was a sudden clash of cymbals as the orchestra reached the finale.
Amikor a zenekar elérte a finálét, hirtelen felhangzott a cintányérok csattanása.
She jumped at the clash of metal as the door slammed shut.
We heard the clash of dishes breaking in the kitchen.
The clash of shields echoed across the battlefield.
Learner examples
I heard the clash of two cars hitting each other.
Hallottam két autó összeütközésének csattanását.
The clash of cymbals filled the concert hall.
A cintányérok csattanása betöltötte a koncerttermet.
There was a loud clash in the kitchen when the plates fell.
We listened to the clash of metal in the factory.
The clash of swords was very loud.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with the verb and say *a sound clashed* when they need the noun *a clash*. Use *a clash* to name the sound itself and the verb *clash* to describe the action of making it.
Meaning
a loud harsh metallic sound
Collocations
clash of cymbals
|clash of swords
|with a loud clash
|the clash of metal
|a sudden clash
Synonyms
clang (Also a loud metallic sound; *clash* can feel more violent or chaotic.)
Antonyms
silence (Represents the absence of sound, opposite of a loud clash.)
Themes
sound
|music
|war
|daily_life
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A loud, sharp sound when two hard things hit each other.
A loud, sharp, and often metallic sound made when hard objects hit or strike each other.
VERB
C1
6
összecsattan
B2
Usage pattern:
[hard objects] clash; [someone] clashes [objects]
Cymbals clashed as the band marched down the street.
Miközben a zenekar végigvonult az utcán, a cintányérok összecsattantak.
We could hear swords clashing in the movie scene.
A filmjelenetben hallani lehetett, ahogy a kardok összecsattannak.
The metal gates clashed shut behind him.
Pots and pans clashed on the floor when the shelf broke.
In the distance, shields clashed as the battle began.
Learner examples
The cymbals clashed very loudly.
A cintányérok nagyon hangosan összecsattantak.
Their swords clashed again and again.
A kardjaik újra meg újra összecsattantak.
The big door clashed shut.
Metal parts clashed in the machine.
Two plates clashed and then broke.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *clash* for any loud sound. It is most natural for hard or metallic sounds, like metal, dishes, or cymbals hitting each other.
Meaning
to make a loud metallic sound
Collocations
cymbals clashed
|swords clashed
|clash loudly
|clash together
|clash in the distance
Synonyms
clang (Also means to make a loud metallic sound; *clash* often suggests repeated or chaotic hitting.)
Antonyms
fall silent (Describes sound stopping, the opposite of producing a loud clash.)
Themes
sound
|music
|daily_life
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To make a loud, sharp sound when two hard things hit each other.
To make a loud, sharp, and often metallic sound by hitting or striking something, or by two hard objects hitting each other.
VERB
B2
7
ütközik
B1
Usage pattern:
[event] clashes with [event/appointment]
I can't come to the training because it clashes with another meeting.
Nem tudok elmenni az edzésre, mert ütközik egy másik megbeszéléssel.
The concert date clashes with my final exam.
A koncert időpontja ütközik a záróvizsgámmal.
Their wedding plans clashed with a big family holiday.
The two conferences clash, so we have to choose one.
Our schedules clash, which is why we rarely meet.
Learner examples
The class clashes with my job.
Az óra ütközik a munkámmal.
My meeting clashes with my doctor's visit.
A megbeszélésem ütközik az orvosi időpontommal.
Our plans clash with the school trip.
The two games clash, so I must choose one.
His work times clash with my free time.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *clash at the same time*. *Clash* already includes the idea of happening at the same time, so *The meeting clashes with my exam* is enough. This usage is especially common in British English.
Meaning
to conflict in time
Collocations
clash with my schedule
|clash with an exam
|clash with another meeting
|schedules clash
|dates clash
Synonyms
overlap (Focuses on times partly or fully covering each other; *clash* suggests a stronger problem or impossibility.)
Antonyms
fit in (Means to work well within a schedule without causing problems, opposite of clashing in time.)
Themes
time
|work
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To happen at the same time as something else, so you cannot do both.
To happen at the same time as another event in a way that makes it difficult or impossible to do both.
NOUN
B2
8
rangadó
B2
összecsapás
B2
Usage pattern:
a clash between [team] and [team]
Fans are getting ready for Sunday's clash between the city rivals.
A szurkolók már készülnek a városi riválisok vasárnapi rangadójára.
The team faces a crucial clash with the league leaders this weekend.
A csapat sorsdöntő összecsapást játszik ezen a hétvégén a listavezetővel.
Their next clash could decide the championship.
Tickets for the derby clash sold out in minutes.
The two clubs have met in five previous clashes this season.
Learner examples
There is a big clash between the two teams tonight.
Ma este nagy rangadó lesz a két csapat között.
The clash will decide who wins the cup.
Ez az összecsapás dönti el, ki nyeri a kupát.
They lost the last clash with their rivals.
Many people will watch the clash on TV.
The clash between the top two clubs was very exciting.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse *clash* for any game. It is normally used in news or sports writing for important or intense matches, not for every casual game.
Meaning
an important sports match
Collocations
a clash between the two sides
|a top-of-the-table clash
|a title clash
|a derby clash
|a crucial clash
Synonyms
match (The normal neutral term; *clash* adds a feeling of intensity or rivalry.)
Antonyms
friendly (A non-competitive or less serious game, opposite in tone to an intense clash.)
Themes
sports
|news
Definition
A sports game between two teams or players, usually an important or exciting one.
A competition or game between two opposing sports teams or players, especially when the contest is expected to be intense or closely fought.
Grammar
Dictionary form
clash
IPA
GB/klˈæʃ/
US/klˈæʃ/
Syllables & stress
clash (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (clash)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: clash
- Plural: clashes
Verb
- Base: clash
- 3rd Person Singular: clashes
- Present Participle: clashing
- Past: clashed
Word family
Forms
clashes
noun
clashing
verb
clashed
verb
Expressions
clash of civilizations
1/klˈæʃ əv sˌɪvəlɪzˈeɪʃənz/
fixed phrase
formal
large-scale conflict between civilizations
A big conflict between major cultural or religious groups, often used when talking about world politics and history.
Examples
- Some writers warn of a possible clash of civilizations between the West and the Islamic world.
- The phrase 'clash of civilizations' became popular in political debates after the 1990s.
- Many scholars argue that a clash of civilizations is not unavoidable.
clash of cultures
1/klˈæʃ əv kˈʌlt͡ʃɚz/
fixed phrase
a conflict between two cultures
A strong conflict that happens when two cultures meet and their values or ways of life are very different.
Examples
- The novel describes the clash of cultures between local people and foreign workers.
- Tourism can create a clash of cultures if visitors do not respect local traditions.
- The marriage brought a clash of cultures into the same home.
clash of interests
1/klˈæʃ əv ˈɪntɚˌɛsts/
fixed phrase
conflict between different interests
A problem that happens when two people or groups want different things that cannot easily happen at the same time.
Examples
- There is a clear clash of interests between local residents and the company.
- A clash of interests made it hard to reach an agreement.
- The lawyer stepped down because of a potential clash of interests.
clash with police
1/klˈæʃ wˈɪθ pəlˈis/
fixed phrase
fight or confront police
To fight or have a serious violent problem with the police, often in the street.
Examples
- Protesters clashed with police in the city center last night.
- Fans clashed with police after the final whistle.
- Several people were arrested after they clashed with police outside the stadium.
color clash
1/kˈʌlɚ klˈæʃ/
fixed phrase
unpleasant combination of colors
When two or more colors do not look good together because they are too different or strong.
Examples
- The designer said there was an ugly color clash in the living room.
- Be careful to avoid a color clash when choosing your outfit.
- The website's bright background creates a serious color clash with the text.
culture clash
1/kˈʌlt͡ʃɚ klˈæʃ/
fixed phrase
conflict between different cultures
A strong problem or conflict that happens when people from different cultures meet and their customs or ideas are very different.
Examples
- Moving from a small village to New York was a real culture clash for her.
- The film deals with the culture clash between traditional parents and their modern children.
- International teams often experience culture clash when they first start working together.
schedule clash
1/skˈɛd͡ʒul klˈæʃ/
fixed phrase
two events at the same time
A problem when two meetings or events are at the same time, so you cannot go to both.
Examples
- We had to cancel the interview because of a schedule clash.
- Due to a schedule clash, she was unable to attend the conference.
- Several students reported a schedule clash between the two classes.
personality clash
1/pˌɚsənˈælɪti klˈæʃ/
fixed phrase
conflict due to character differences
When two people cannot get along because their characters are too different.
Examples
- They broke up because of a personality clash.
- Their breakup was mainly due to a personality clash.
- There was a personality clash between the two team members.
- There is a serious personality clash between the new manager and the team leader.
- Sometimes poor performance is really about a personality clash, not lack of skills.