1
as in strife
a lack of agreement or harmony
the conflict between absolute freedom and personal responsibility
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2
as in clash
a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups
an armed conflict between strikers and strikebreakers
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3
as in hostilities
a state of armed violent struggle between states, nations, or groups
the United Nations strives to prevent international conflicts
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4
as in rivalry
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
the eternal conflict between the forces of good and evil
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as in to clash
to be out of harmony or agreement usually noticeably
his statement conflicts with the facts, as given in the police report
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of conflict
Meg Tirrell, CNN Money, 1 May 2025
Many commentators suggest that when the conflict in Ukraine ends, Putin may turn his attention to the Baltic States including Latvia.
—David Hambling, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Laurie Ochoa, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2025
There have been conflicting headlines around U.S.-China trade negotiations.
—Kevin Stankiewicz,matthew J. Belvedere, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for conflict
Noun
And the plan to build a different surveillance system appeared to come into direct conflict with a pledge that Sen. Bill Cassidy said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made to secure his confirmation vote in February.
—Meg Tirrell, CNN Money, 1 May 2025
Many commentators suggest that when the conflict in Ukraine ends, Putin may turn his attention to the Baltic States including Latvia.
—David Hambling, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Verb
Yet there were two conflicting scenes out the picture glass windows lined with colorful papel picado banners.
—Laurie Ochoa, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2025
There have been conflicting headlines around U.S.-China trade negotiations.
—Kevin Stankiewicz,matthew J. Belvedere, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for conflict
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conflict
Noun
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Attempting to rearrange these relationships is just going to cause marital strife for you.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Mercury News,
23 Apr. 2025
-
For all the chaos and strife of the tariffs in the opening act of his second term, Trump’s U.S.-Canada-Mexico trade deal, which went into effect in 2020, and his negotiations with China during his first term indicate some ability not just to pick economic fights but to try to settle them.—
Jennifer M. Harris,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The following day, however, Mercury will meet Mars in a stubborn square, triggering a clash between the need for practicality and discernment versus the desire to express oneself boldly and with pride.—
Staff Author,
People.com,
1 May 2025
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India has been a nuclear power for over 50 years, possessing an arsenal that is publicly clandestine but capable in warfare—notably against its neighboring country, Pakistan, amid their decades-long clash over Kashmir.—
Nick Mordowanec
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
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These meetings initially took place virtually and then in person across different capitals, seeking a cessation of hostilities and the establishment of humanitarian corridors.—
Daniel R. Depetris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Apr. 2025
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But Putin had other ideas, tying a halt in hostilities to the West readmitting certain Russian banks into the West’s financial network.—
Daniel DePetris,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Orlando City and Atlanta United will meet on Saturday in a fierce rivalry MLS matchup, a game soccer fans in the U.S. won't want to miss.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Apr. 2025
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Reflecting on their past as competing late-night talk show hosts, Leno said that the way the media portrayed their rivalry was not accurate.—
Liza Esquibias,
People.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
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This potential matchup immediately sparked considerable interest among fans, envisioning a unique blend of music and wrestling stardom colliding in the ring.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Apr. 2025
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The drivers of the Audi and the Honda told investigators the operator of the Infiniti drove in a swale area of the highway between traffic and collided with their vehicles in the left center lane, the warrant affidavit said.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Successfully navigating such a challenge requires insight, tact and a willingness to examine not just your own behavior but also the underlying reasons behind the discord.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
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Henry's point that discord can be a path toward – rather than an obstacle to – love.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The Holy Roman Empire army did eventually move on from the camp, engaging in several skirmishes with the Swedish army stationed nearby.—
Brendan Rascius,
Miami Herald,
18 Apr. 2025
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Today’s group readies to replay the opening battle skirmish, practicing to get their roles down for the upcoming anniversary celebration.—
Melanie Stetson Freeman,
Christian Science Monitor,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
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But his rebuke of Trump's policies answered one of Wall Street's biggest questions of this weekend: Would Buffett weigh in on the trade war and its massive disruptions?—
Maria Aspan,
NPR,
3 May 2025
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Trial judge rejected arguments about war service At the time of Hutchinson's trial, psychiatrist William Baumzweiger found that Hutchinson's form of mental illness could result in unconscious fits of rage, the Tampa Bay Times reported.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
3 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Conflict.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conflict. Accessed 6 May. 2025.
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