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

In her ruling, Lockard acknowledged the conflicting nature of the state’s standards for terminating a day care provider’s registration and revoking the provider’s agreement to operate. —Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital Dispatch, 14 Feb. 2026

Stewart, affectionately called Smoke, has at times said conflicting things in regards to his NASCAR driving career. —Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 14 Feb. 2026

With the conflicting economic signals, the Fed is widely expected to stay on hold until June after a rate-cutting cycle that saw three reductions in the latter part of 2025. —Jeff Cox, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026

Officials gave conflicting explanations for the closure, leaving the public unsure about what actually occurred in the skies above El Paso. —Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 12 Feb. 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