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Clash vs Altercation - What's the difference?

clash | altercation | Related terms |

Clash is a related term of altercation.


As nouns the difference between clash and altercation

is that clash is (onomatopoeia) a loud sound while altercation is warm contention in words; dispute carried on with heat or anger; controversy; wrangle; wordy contest.

As a verb clash

is to make a loud clash.

clash

English

Noun

(es)
  • (onomatopoeia) A loud sound.
  • I heard a clash from the kitchen, and rushed in to find the cat had knocked over some pots and pans.
  • (military) A skirmish, a hostile encounter.
  • (sports) a match; a game between two sides.
  • * 2011 , Tom Fordyce, Rugby World Cup 2011: England 12-19 France [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/15210221.stm]
  • But they ran out of time and inspiration as Les Bleus set up a deserved semi-final clash with Wales.
  • An angry argument
  • Opposition; contradiction; such as between differing or contending interests, views, purposes etc.
  • a clash of beliefs
    a personality clash
  • A combination of garments that do not look good together, especially because of conflicting colours.
  • She was wearing a horrible clash of red and orange.
  • (hurling) An instance of restarting the game after a "dead ball", where it is dropped between two opposing players, who can fight for possession.
  • Verb

    (es)
  • to make a loud clash
  • The plates clashed to the floor.
  • to come into violent conflict
  • Fans from opposing teams clashed on the streets after the game.
  • to argue angrily
  • My parents often clashed about minor things, such as the cleaning or shopping rota.
  • (of clothes) to not look good together.
  • You can't wear that shirt, as it clashes with your trousers.
    She looked so trashy, her lipstick and jewellery all clashed .
  • (of events) to coincide, to happen at the same time, thereby rendering it impossible to attend all.
  • I can't come to your wedding as it clashes with a friend's funeral.
  • (in games or sports) to face each other in an important game.
  • * {{quote-news
  • , year=2008 , date=June 27 , author= , title=Jones confirms Calzaghe showdown , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=The veteran American legend claims he and Welsh two-weight world champion Calzaghe will clash on 20 September, probably at The MGM Grand in Las Vegas. }}

    altercation

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Warm contention in words; dispute carried on with heat or anger; controversy; wrangle; wordy contest.
  • * (rfdate), Arthur Conan Doyle, The Valley of Fear
  • "What the hell is it to you who are my friends?" roared McMurdo in a voice which brought every head in the carriage round to witness the altercation .

    Synonyms

    * dispute, wrangle