conflicted

adjective

con·​flict·​ed kən-ˈflik-təd 

: experiencing or marked by ambivalence or a conflict especially of emotions

conflicted feelings

… these people are … conflicted in their values and beliefs.

—Norman Ornstein

Synonyms of conflicted

• unsure
• ambivalent
• afraid
• hesitant
• uncertain

Examples of conflicted in a Sentence

She was still conflicted about her ex-husband's remarriage.

I'm conflicted about the prospect of our only child going away to college.

Recent Examples on the Web

Why not let Al-Hashimi speak for herself in the same way that Robby has tried to explain to Dana and Duke his conflicted feelings about continuing to work at PTMC? —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026

Why Gen Z is the most conflicted generation The generational data doesn’t resolve cleanly. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2026

Hideki Matsuyama and Wyndham Clark, who reportedly passed on financially advantageous LIV deals, said Koepka’s move left them conflicted. —Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2026

Destinations like Greater Fort Lauderdale, long a draw for those seeking a winter warm-up, illustrate how conflicted many once-frequent Florida visitors feel about visiting now — and what a decline in visits means for local businesses. —CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

from past participle of conflict entry 2

First Known Use

1789, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for conflicted

• addicted
• afflicted
• constricted
• convicted
• depicted
• evicted
• inflicted
• predicted
• restricted
• contradicted
• interdicted
• unrestricted

Medical Definition

conflicted

adjective

con·​flict·​ed kən-ˈflik-təd 

: having or experiencing emotional conflict

working women were much more conflicted about working than full-time mothers were about staying home

—People