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

Councilmembers Seth Smith and Yadira Altamirano declined to participate in deliberations intended to direct staff on the process for a permanent ordinance to strengthen tenant protections, citing concerns that Mayor Alysson Snow had a potential conflict of interest. —Hannah Elsmore, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026

The problem becomes both real corruption … and the appearance of corruption and conflict of interest. —Justin Papp, CNBC, 5 Mar. 2026

Concealment of such a potential conflict of interest would get a criminal case dismissed or a conviction overturned. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 3 Mar. 2026

In May 2018, the Connecticut state auditors released a report that raised serious concerns about Agwunobi’s disregard of basic conflict of interest tenets. —Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 28 Feb. 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