collision

noun

kə-ˈli-zhən How to pronounce collision (audio)
Definition of collisionnext
1
as in crash
a forceful coming together of two things the collision of two opposing philosophies regarding the rearing of children

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in accident
the violent coming together of two bodies into destructive contact a horrendous car collision on the highway

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word collision different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of collision are concussion, impact, and shock. While all these words mean "a forceful, even violent contact between two or more things," collision implies the coming together of two or more things with such force that both or all are damaged or their progress is severely impeded.

the collision damaged the vehicle

In what contexts can concussion take the place of collision?

The synonyms concussion and collision are sometimes interchangeable, but concussion when not in technical use, often suggests the shattering, disrupting, or weakening effects of a collision, explosion, or blow.

bystanders felt the concussion of the blast

When could impact be used to replace collision?

In some situations, the words impact and collision are roughly equivalent. However, impact may be used to imply contact between two things, at least one of which is impelled toward the other.

the glass shattered on impact with the floor

When might shock be a better fit than collision?

The words shock and collision are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, shock often denotes the effect produced by a collision and carries the suggestion of something that strikes or hits with force.

the shock of falling rocks

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of collision Uranus, the seventh planet from the sun, is unique for its extreme axial tilt, with its equator and orbit making nearly at a right angle — likely the result of a collision with an Earth-size object long ago. —Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 1 Apr. 2025 National Transportation Safety Board investigators are looking into the Army's handling of close calls in the wake of the January collision. —Kris Van Cleave, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2025 Smith and Gray's last-lap collision caused a chain reaction, leading many cars to crash into each other. —Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2025 Based on analysis of satellite measurements, the collision deformed sedimentary and volcanic rock layers as far as 6.2 miles to the north and south of the impact crater, while leaving the east and west relatively unscathed. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for collision
Recent Examples of Synonyms for collision
  1. crash
  2. accident
  3. shock
  4. wreck
  5. impact
  6. jolt
  7. thump
  8. slam
Noun
  • In the immediate aftermath of the crash, the arrivals rate at DCA was temporarily reduced.
    — Zach Wichter, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025
  • There is a crash on I-70 between I-435/Exit 411 and 78th Street/Exit 414.
    — Kansas City Star Bot, Kansas City Star, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of crash
Noun
  • Adam DeVine was told to 'stick to the script' on Modern Family after confusing Sofia Vergara with improv DeVine detailed his childhood accident to Entertainment Weekly in 2016.
    — Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • This accident is one of many issues faced by self-driving and electric vehicle companies in China, including batteries in electric vehicles catching fire and brake systems failing.
    — Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of accident
Noun
  • The biggest shock to anyone standing within that path and having clear weather — which certainly wasn’t everyone on April 8, 2024 — was the sight of the sun's corona, its wispy white outer atmosphere.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • His dissertation for his Harvard University economics PhD – appropriately for the current moment – was about how South Korea’s economy could weather external shocks.
    — Mike Valerio, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of shock
Noun
  • Two women in another vehicle came upon the wreck and pulled off to the shoulder to help the woman inside, police told the outlet.
    — Mitchell Willetts, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Mar. 2025
  • After years of seeing wrecks in his rearview mirror, Dale Jr. will be in the unique position of pointing, laughing, and giving style points when someone gets airborne in a homemade cheeseburger.
    — Greg Engle, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Definition of wreck
Noun
  • Sierra Leone is one of the poorest countries in the world, so these job losses will have significant impact on the economy.
    — The Dial, The Dial, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Large impacts, like collisions with asteroids or comets, could also have influenced Mars’s climate.
    — Jonathan O’Callaghan, JSTOR Daily, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of impact
Noun
  • On Monday, as stocks were tumbling, a mysterious, apparently misfired tweet about a 90-day tariff relief plan briefly turned the market around in a wild jolt.
    — Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Lightning strikes may kill untold numbers of trees every year, but one tropical species has evolved to benefit from the sudden jolts of electricity.
    — Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of jolt
Noun
  • Rami Sinno is crouched beside a filing cabinet, wrestling a beach-ball sized disc out of a box, when a dull thump echoes around his laboratory.
    — Billy Perrigo, Time, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Then the silence was broken by the loud thump of Olive’s .38/40.
    — Horace R. Hinkley, Outdoor Life, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of thump
Noun
  • With the game knotted at 71, Jenkins drove to the basket for a two-handed slam.
    — Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 22 Mar. 2025
  • But as the four-time NBA champ told reporters after the game, there won’t be a 28th slam.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 2 Mar. 2025
Definition of slam

Browse Nearby Words

colligating
collision
collisions
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Collision.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/collision. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on collision

Nglish: Translation of collision for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about collision

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