✨📕 The NEWThe NEW Collegiate Dictionary, 12th Edition Over 5,000 words added — Buy Now! Collegiate DictionaryBuy Now!

conflict of laws

: opposition or conflict between the applicable laws of different states or jurisdictions regarding the rights of the parties in a case
also : a branch of law that deals with the resolution of such conflict and the determination of the law applicable to cases in which the laws of different jurisdictions are asserted

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Conflict of laws.” Merriam-Webster.com Legal Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/legal/conflict%20of%20laws. Accessed 27 Nov. 2025.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!