conflict of interest

noun phrase

: a conflict between the private interests and the official responsibilities of a person in a position of trust

Examples of conflict of interest in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Prosecutors deny Bondi has conflict of interest Federal prosecutors slammed the defense's claims as meritless and misleading, arguing there is no conflict of interest with the attorney general because there is no present or future financial gain. —Christina Fan, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026

The federal judge must also still rule on a defense motion to bar the death penalty over a conflict of interest with US Attorney General Pam Bondi, who announced the Justice Department would seek the death penalty last April. —Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026

Will the potential conflict of interest and ethics violations lead to a political backlash? —Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 8 Jan. 2026

Both Witkoff and Kushner have been criticized for taking on the role of negotiator in Gaza while also having major business ties in the Middle East, given the conflict of interest. —Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 30 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1860, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for conflict of interest

• noninterest

Legal Definition

conflict of interest

con·​flict of interest

ˈkän-ˌflikt-

1

: a conflict between the private interests and the official or professional responsibilities of a person in a position of trust

2

: a conflict between competing duties (as in an attorney's representation of clients with adverse interests) see also ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct