1
as in strife
a lack of agreement or harmony
the conflict between absolute freedom and personal responsibility
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in clash
a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups
an armed conflict between strikers and strikebreakers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in rivalry
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
the eternal conflict between the forces of good and evil
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of conflict
David Brennan, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2025
Salah’s post was shared hundreds of thousands of times and represented a rare public statement from one of the game’s leading names about the conflict.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 17 Aug. 2025
Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Aug. 2025
He was conflicted about coming to New York in 1991 for his dad’s tribute, but that, along with nights performing covers of Nina Simone, Edith Piaf and Led Zeppelin and his own songs at the East Village coffee shop Sin-e led to a multimillion-dollar deal with Columbia Records.
—Eileen Finan, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for conflict
Noun
The president has previously incorrectly framed Ukraine as the initiator of the conflict, which began with Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2025
Salah’s post was shared hundreds of thousands of times and represented a rare public statement from one of the game’s leading names about the conflict.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 17 Aug. 2025
Verb
The discussion has been fueled by Cody's own recent, and often conflicting, public comments on the matter.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Aug. 2025
He was conflicted about coming to New York in 1991 for his dad’s tribute, but that, along with nights performing covers of Nina Simone, Edith Piaf and Led Zeppelin and his own songs at the East Village coffee shop Sin-e led to a multimillion-dollar deal with Columbia Records.
—Eileen Finan, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for conflict
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conflict
Noun
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In Swift's 2008 song, Romeo and Juliet embark on a giddy romance and ultimately overcome the strife between their families to get married.—
Rachel Raposas,
People.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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These strange yet sublime figures offer an escape from a world that’s become increasingly misunderstood amid raging geopolitical strife.—
Natasha Gural,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
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However, those same clashes can be transformed into deeper connections with a little effort and understanding.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
18 Aug. 2025
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Several countries have already nominated him for the award; Trump claimed credit for defusing border clashes between India and Pakistan in May and a long-running dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
15 Aug. 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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Ashcroft had been governor just before him, and the two were rumored to have a rivalry.—
Meredith Kile,
People.com,
23 Aug. 2025
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Clubs have built the foundation by nurturing talent and rivalries, but every global sport is also powered by national pride.—
Mike Stubbs,
Forbes.com,
23 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Their car then traveled down an embankment and collided with a large tree. Donald, who was driving the vehicle, and Maria, who was sitting in the passenger seat, were killed, while their two younger children survived and were hospitalized with serious injuries.—
Sam Gillette,
People.com,
22 Aug. 2025
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In the 13 minutes of calls, witnesses described seeing the personal watercraft traveling fast in the water the moment before the crash and people trying to pull the girls out of the water after colliding with the concrete dock.—
Angie DiMichele,
Sun Sentinel,
19 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Leaders of the international Reform and Progressive Judaism movement expressed their dismay over such a public display of internal discord.—
Andrew Silow-Carroll,
Sun Sentinel,
19 Aug. 2025
-
At least for the moment, Maron seems to surrender to the discord between two of his three roommates, though stand-up’s most famous cat guy is never not a little on edge.—
Mikey O'Connell,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The Dodgers were held to three hits by Yu Darvish and the San Diego Padres’ bullpen and the Padres took a 2-1 victory in the opener of this weekend’s NL West skirmish.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
23 Aug. 2025
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Liam Gallagher has been barred from his traditional maracas tossing at Oasis’ reunion concerts after crowd skirmishes in pursuit of the instruments resulted in injuries.—
Daniel Kreps,
Rolling Stone,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
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This tiny home blends the contemporary architecture of cargo container homes with cozy, beach cottage vibes, adds on a rooftop terrace, and ships straight to your door without the hassle of house-hunting, bidding wars, loan underwriting, and other home-buying speedbumps.—
Miles Walls,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 Aug. 2025
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Any firm attempt to secure the peace, in other words, would only deepen the war.—
Simon Shuster,
Time,
19 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Conflict.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conflict. Accessed 30 Aug. 2025.
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