con·flict
ˈkän-ˌflikt 
2
a
: competitive or opposing action of incompatibles : antagonistic state or action (as of divergent ideas, interests, or persons)
a conflict of principles
b
: mental struggle resulting from incompatible or opposing needs, drives, wishes, or external or internal demands
His conscience was in conflict with his duty.
3
: the opposition of persons or forces that gives rise to the dramatic action in a drama or fiction
The conflict in the play is between the king and the archbishop.
con·flict
kən-ˈflikt
ˈkän-ˌflikt
conflicted; conflicting; conflicts
1
: to be different, opposed, or contradictory : to fail to be in agreement or accord
His statement conflicts with the facts.
2
archaic
: to contend in warfare
Examples of conflict in a Sentence
Noun
In great wars—the American Civil War, the First and Second World Wars—the largest casualties are suffered just before the conflicts end.
—
Steve Forbes, Forbes, 19 Oct. 2009
At a moment when the country was still in the throes of the conflict over Vietnam, it was refreshing to see the best of America.
—Al Gore, An Inconvenient Truth, 2006
… for work-family conflicts to disappear, two rock-ribbed institutions must change: the whole concept of children's care, and the way the workplace works.
—Letty Cottin Pogrebin, Family Politics, 1983
The basic conflict in the novel is, of course, between the life on the river, where Huck finds innocence, brotherhood with man, and communion with nature, and life ashore, where, stage by stage, he discovers the corruption of society …
—Robert Penn Warren, Democracy and Poetry, (1975) 1976
a conflict between two gangs
recent violent conflict in the region
Everyone in my family always tries to avoid conflict.
There was inevitable conflict over what to name the group.
They're having serious conflicts over the budget.
I don't see any conflicts between the theories.
You'll need to resolve the conflict between your parents' plans for you and your own ambitions.
Verb
Mr. van Wolferen says the U.S. must do more: It has to openly explain to Japan that it wants a managed-trade deal in order to end the bickering between the two nations, a move that would conflict with America's free-trade rhetoric.
—David P. Hamilton, Wall Street Journal, 8 June 1995
The expectations about motherhood as full-time job that this situation created conflicted with the philosophy of the women's movement of the l960's.
—Anita Shreve, New York Times Magazine, 2l Nov. 1982
Lily smiled faintly at the injunction to take her tea strong. It was the temptation she was always struggling to resist. Her craving for the keen stimulant was forever conflicting with that other craving for sleep …
—Edith Wharton, The House of Mirth, 1905
Reports conflicted on how many people were involved.
his statement conflicts with the facts, as given in the police report
Steve Forbes, Forbes, 19 Oct. 2009
At a moment when the country was still in the throes of the conflict over Vietnam, it was refreshing to see the best of America.
—Al Gore, An Inconvenient Truth, 2006
… for work-family conflicts to disappear, two rock-ribbed institutions must change: the whole concept of children's care, and the way the workplace works.
—Letty Cottin Pogrebin, Family Politics, 1983
The basic conflict in the novel is, of course, between the life on the river, where Huck finds innocence, brotherhood with man, and communion with nature, and life ashore, where, stage by stage, he discovers the corruption of society …
—Robert Penn Warren, Democracy and Poetry, (1975) 1976
a conflict between two gangs
recent violent conflict in the region
Everyone in my family always tries to avoid conflict.
There was inevitable conflict over what to name the group.
They're having serious conflicts over the budget.
I don't see any conflicts between the theories.
You'll need to resolve the conflict between your parents' plans for you and your own ambitions.
Verb
Mr. van Wolferen says the U.S. must do more: It has to openly explain to Japan that it wants a managed-trade deal in order to end the bickering between the two nations, a move that would conflict with America's free-trade rhetoric.
—David P. Hamilton, Wall Street Journal, 8 June 1995
The expectations about motherhood as full-time job that this situation created conflicted with the philosophy of the women's movement of the l960's.
—Anita Shreve, New York Times Magazine, 2l Nov. 1982
Lily smiled faintly at the injunction to take her tea strong. It was the temptation she was always struggling to resist. Her craving for the keen stimulant was forever conflicting with that other craving for sleep …
—Edith Wharton, The House of Mirth, 1905
Reports conflicted on how many people were involved.
his statement conflicts with the facts, as given in the police report
Recent Examples on the Web
Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 2 May 2025
The state is embroiled in its own internal conflict with residents too.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 2 May 2025
Aytekin Tank, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
The first is conflict preemption, which occurs when a state law directly conflicts with federal law.
—Carolyn Komatsoulis, Idaho Statesman, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for conflict
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Throughout the first fifteen months of the conflict, Israel’s behavior, specifically in refusing to allow sufficient amounts of aid into Gaza, drew international condemnation.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 2 May 2025
The state is embroiled in its own internal conflict with residents too.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 2 May 2025
Verb
The result could be an answer that sounds confident but blends conflicting guidance and unvetted opinions.
—Aytekin Tank, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
The first is conflict preemption, which occurs when a state law directly conflicts with federal law.
—Carolyn Komatsoulis, Idaho Statesman, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for conflict
Cite this Entry
“Conflict.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conflict. Accessed 6 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
conflict
1 of 2 noun
con·flict
ˈkän-ˌflikt
conflict
2 of 2 verb
con·flict
kən-ˈflikt
ˈkän-ˌflikt
: to be in opposition : clash
duty and desire often conflict
Medical Definition
conflict
noun
con·flict
ˈkän-ˌflikt
: mental struggle resulting from incompatible or opposing needs, drives, wishes, or external or internal demands
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