conflicted

adjective

con·​flict·​ed kən-ˈflik-təd 

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

this unhappy and conflicted modern woman

—John Updike

conflicted feelings

Synonyms

• 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

For one conflicted athlete, this was the most compelling reason to continue competing. —Calum Marsh, Rolling Stone, 14 June 2025

There’s no macho posturing between the two guys – instead, Song has written them each as decent suitors to Johnson’s conflicted Lucy. —Brian Truitt, USA Today, 13 June 2025

And Bradley Greenwald does fine things with another conflicted character, the doctor who seems to drive the captain into Fosca’s arms. —Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 9 June 2025

On the red carpet, some performers expressed more conflicted feelings about LuPone. —Gordon Cox, Variety, 8 June 2025

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