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

From a young age, our children receive conflicting signals about the meaning of participating in our democratic republic. — David Neil, New York Daily News, 15 Aug. 2026

The hunt itself is surprisingly rich in lore, however, as well as in conflicting details. — Paul Schullery, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2026

Test exceptions, conflicting data, policy boundaries and recovery paths before expanding its authority because those hard cases reveal more about readiness than a clean demo. — Robert Kramer, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Nostalgic without being at all reactionary, Mitchell’s riotously crowd-pleasing blockbuster takes both of Greg and Denise’s conflicting wishes to heart. — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 12 Aug. 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