DictionaryAI

conflict

SayKON-flikt/ˈkɑn.flɪkt/UK/ˈkɒn.flɪkt/
As a verbkuhn-FLIKT

Pluralconflicts

Verbconflicts, conflicting, conflicted

5 meanings of conflict

Practice

  1. 1
    fightnouncountable or uncountable
    A serious fight or argument between people or groups.

    Like two kids fighting over the same toy and refusing to share.

    The two nations were close to armed conflict over the border.

    There was a lot of conflict between the brothers about the money.

    UsageSay conflict between two groups, or in conflict with someone.

    Similarstrife, fighting, war, struggle, clash

    Oppositepeace, harmony, agreement, accord

  2. 2
    clash of interestsnouncountable
    A situation where two things do not fit together, so you cannot have both.

    Like trying to be in two places at once: you can't do both.

    There is a conflict between what he says and what he actually does.

    Her new job created a conflict with the time she wanted for her family.

    UsageOften in conflict of interest, and in a conflict between two things.

    Similarclash, discrepancy, inconsistency, contradiction, incompatibility

    Oppositeagreement, consistency, compatibility

  3. 3
    verbintransitive
    To disagree with something or not fit together with it.

    Like two puzzle pieces that just won't fit together.

    Their plans conflict, so someone will have to give way.

    His story conflicts with what the witness told the police.

    UsageSay one thing conflicts with another.

    Similarclash, disagree, differ

    Oppositeagree, harmonize, accord, tally

  4. 4
    nouncountable or uncountable
    A struggle inside you when you have two feelings at once that do not fit together.

    Like being pulled by two ropes in different directions at the same time.

    She felt a lot of conflict about moving away from her best friends.

    He wanted the new job but also wanted to stay near his family, and the conflict kept him awake at night.

    Similarstruggle, ambivalence, turmoil, tension

Less common meaning

  1. 5
    verbintransitive
    To happen at the same time as something else, so you cannot do both.

    Like two TV shows you love being on at the very same time.

    The two meetings conflict, so I can only attend one of them.

    Her evening class conflicts with her work shift on Tuesdays.

    UsageSay one event conflicts with another.

    Similarclash, overlap, coincide, collide

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of conflict apart? Answer 4 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

From Latin confligere, meaning "to strike together," from com- ("together") and fligere ("to strike").

Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 5 facts