conflict of interest

noun phrase

: a conflict between the private interests and the official responsibilities of a person in a position of trust

Examples of conflict of interest in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

One of the members of the board was excluded from the vote after Humphreys’ defense team argued her role as an advocate for the victims’ families during Humphreys’ trial nearly 20 years ago created a conflict of interest. — Caleb Groves, AJC.com, 15 Sep. 2026

Cheng said at the time that she was told by her supervisor that employees of the Journal should not be seen as advocating for press freedom in a place like Hong Kong given a potential conflict of interest. — CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026

Court documents in the case showed that Helen Shiller, a member of the city’s Zoning Board of Appeals who voted to approve the permit, has a son who owned a 3% stake in the dispensary, raising concern over what critics called a conflict of interest. — Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 10 Sep. 2026

Critics say their private enterprise presents the appearance of a conflict of interest. — Lucien Bruggeman, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1860, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for conflict of interest

• noninterest

Legal Definition

conflict of interest

con·​flict of interest

ˈkän-ˌflikt-

1

: a conflict between the private interests and the official or professional responsibilities of a person in a position of trust

2

: a conflict between competing duties (as in an attorney's representation of clients with adverse interests) see also ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct