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

The conviction was later vacated in 2016, after a new legal team argued that Max’s original trial lawyer had a conflict of interest in the case. —Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 9 Nov. 2025

Fournier has denied any conflict of interest, but other Oakland County leaders have pledged ethics reform measures in the wake of the scandal, the subject of a Detroit Free Press investigation. —Lily Altavena, Freep.com, 5 Nov. 2025

Cheney maintained that his resignation and financial arrangements eliminated any conflict of interest during his vice presidency. —Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025

The indictment also includes three misdemeanor counts of participating in a government decision while having a conflict of interest. —Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 31 Oct. 2025

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