conflicting

adjective

con·​flict·​ing kən-ˈflik-tiŋ 

ˈkän-ˌflik-

: being in conflict, collision, or opposition : incompatible

conflicting theories

conflictingly

kən-ˈflik-tiŋ-lē 

ˈkän-ˌflik-

adverb

Synonyms of conflicting

• inconsistent

Examples of conflicting in a Sentence

conflicting reports from the witnesses at the scene

Recent Examples on the Web

For decades, different medical organizations issued their own, sometimes conflicting, recommendations. —Jake Scott, Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026

As conflicting accounts about what happened in Minneapolis swirl, state and federal investigators are now taking a closer look at Wednesday's fatal shooting of a driver by an ICE officer. —Jennifer Mayerle, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026

But the child welfare agency noticed conflicting results between its tests and those ordered by law enforcement agencies, according to public records. —Lucas Waldron, ProPublica, 6 Jan. 2026

Questions about the current status of the business were complicated by conflicting statements on Monday. —Andy Rose, CNN Money, 1 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

from present participle of conflict entry 2

First Known Use

1592, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for conflicting

• afflicting
• constricting
• convicting
• depicting
• evicting
• inflicting
• predicting
• restricting
• contradicting