1
as in frictions
a lack of agreement or harmony
the conflict between absolute freedom and personal responsibility
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in clashes
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in rivalries
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 collides
to be out of harmony or agreement usually noticeably
his statement conflicts with the facts, as given in the police report
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of conflicts
Ian Reardon, STAT, 2 Feb. 2026
California’s Department of Housing and Community Development has said previously that the height limit is a development standard that conflicts with density bonus law and has no authority over projects that meet the law’s affordability thresholds.
—Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Feb. 2026
Kentucky star Otega Oweh was central in the conflicts and in the upset, scoring 24 points to lead four Wildcats in double figures, and grabbing a game-high eight rebounds.
—Brendan Marks, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2026
The federal force grew along with the conflicts, resulting in an unusual and volatile situation for a state without an exceptionally large undocumented immigrant population.
—Eric Roper, Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2026
Various conflicts have created one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises with more than 7 million people displaced, including more than 300,000 who have fled their homes since December.
—Justin Kabumba, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026
Ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, unrest in Iran, and ongoing energy-market disruptions continue to inject volatility.
—Bruce Helmer, Twin Cities, 31 Jan. 2026
In the same way, expect JD Vance to try different things to reshore manufacturing, to create a better atmosphere for family life and the raising of children, and to keep America out of new military conflicts.
—Frank Devito, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Jan. 2026
Employees in these roles may be removed more easily when their performance or policy alignment conflicts with an administration’s lawful priorities.
—James Broughel, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2025
That law conflicts with the state constitution, Womack said.
—Arkansas Online, 3 Nov. 2025
This trend conflicts with how deeply rural populations value family and friendship, and fails to capture how rural populations interact with the indoor spaces that are central to their daily lives.
—William Jones, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
The center guides parties through community issues like noise but also conflicts with roommates and landlords.
—Gina Lee Castro, jsonline.com, 8 Oct. 2025
Morrisey hasn’t withdrawn his executive order, which conflicts with the state’s immunization law, and has generated confusion and uncertainty.
—Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 24 Sep. 2025
Work culture, tennis or otherwise, rewards busyness and often self-sacrifice, which conflicts with self-care and mental health.
—Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
In addition, the act contains a preemption provision that expresses that no state can enforce a law that conflicts with the act.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 16 Sep. 2025
These cultural differences stoked the media fires further, as Verrett is larger than life in every sense, unapologetically himself and proud of it, which conflicts with Norwegian janteloven.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 16 Sep. 2025
Noun
Journal editors and professional societies can take early steps by adding a few positionality items to existing disclosure forms for psychedelic work and by asking authors to state briefly how experiential conflicts and role separation were handled in their trials.
—Ian Reardon, STAT, 2 Feb. 2026
California’s Department of Housing and Community Development has said previously that the height limit is a development standard that conflicts with density bonus law and has no authority over projects that meet the law’s affordability thresholds.
—Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Feb. 2026
Kentucky star Otega Oweh was central in the conflicts and in the upset, scoring 24 points to lead four Wildcats in double figures, and grabbing a game-high eight rebounds.
—Brendan Marks, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2026
The federal force grew along with the conflicts, resulting in an unusual and volatile situation for a state without an exceptionally large undocumented immigrant population.
—Eric Roper, Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2026
Various conflicts have created one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises with more than 7 million people displaced, including more than 300,000 who have fled their homes since December.
—Justin Kabumba, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026
Ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, unrest in Iran, and ongoing energy-market disruptions continue to inject volatility.
—Bruce Helmer, Twin Cities, 31 Jan. 2026
In the same way, expect JD Vance to try different things to reshore manufacturing, to create a better atmosphere for family life and the raising of children, and to keep America out of new military conflicts.
—Frank Devito, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Jan. 2026
Employees in these roles may be removed more easily when their performance or policy alignment conflicts with an administration’s lawful priorities.
—James Broughel, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Verb
The description conflicts with the White House’s portrayal of the two women as long estranged.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2025
That law conflicts with the state constitution, Womack said.
—Arkansas Online, 3 Nov. 2025
This trend conflicts with how deeply rural populations value family and friendship, and fails to capture how rural populations interact with the indoor spaces that are central to their daily lives.
—William Jones, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
The center guides parties through community issues like noise but also conflicts with roommates and landlords.
—Gina Lee Castro, jsonline.com, 8 Oct. 2025
Morrisey hasn’t withdrawn his executive order, which conflicts with the state’s immunization law, and has generated confusion and uncertainty.
—Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 24 Sep. 2025
Work culture, tennis or otherwise, rewards busyness and often self-sacrifice, which conflicts with self-care and mental health.
—Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
In addition, the act contains a preemption provision that expresses that no state can enforce a law that conflicts with the act.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 16 Sep. 2025
These cultural differences stoked the media fires further, as Verrett is larger than life in every sense, unapologetically himself and proud of it, which conflicts with Norwegian janteloven.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 16 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conflicts
Noun
-
Starmer’s diplomatic shift appears to mirror that of Canada which signed a trade agreement with China earlier this month following a visit by Carney, as Ottawa appears to diversify trade and investment partners amid persistent frictions with Washington.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Understanding these frictions before adding more exposure can prevent unpleasant surprises later.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
And Eat Street was the scene of a series of clashes, before federal officers and local and state police pulled back and protesters took over the area.—
Jack Brook,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Considered to be one of the earliest TV villains, the reality television alum was known for his lack of personal hygiene, as well as his frequent clashes with fellow housemates.—
Nicholas Rice,
PEOPLE,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Russia's bigger army has managed to capture about 20% of Ukraine since hostilities began in 2014 and its full-scale invasion of 2022.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Russia’s bigger army has managed to capture about 20% of Ukraine since hostilities began in 2014 and its full-scale invasion of 2022.—
Kamila Hrabchuk,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
So brace yourselves for the regional rivalries.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Glamour,
28 Jan. 2026
-
The San Antonio Spurs and the Houston Rockets will meet again tonight in a matchup that remains one of the NBA's most heated rivalries, even as both franchises enter a rebuilding phase.—
Julianna Duennes Russ,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Your dedicated Slack channels, private discords and endless Reddit threads.—
April Uchitel,
Flow Space,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
These were not skirmishes but full-scale conflicts, usually costing tens—sometimes hundreds—of thousands of lives.—
Robert Kagan,
The Atlantic,
18 Jan. 2026
-
The tactics of federal immigration agents have come under intense scrutiny after the shooting of Good and growing skirmishes between federal officers and protesters.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
16 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Alongside the bodies of martyrs from Iran’s past wars, the dusty earth of Behesht-e Zahra cemetery now cradles the remains of protesters killed in January’s protests, the latest conflict to rake Iran’s streets.—
Frederik Pleitgen,
CNN Money,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Following pandemic-era school closures and culture wars, choice proponents have made unprecedented gains at the state and federal levels.—
Jonah Davids,
Washington Post,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Submerged by a deluge of battles lost, assignments missed and a pair of deflections off Vancouver defenders into their own net.—
Thomas Drance,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Boats, motorcycles and chickens Neighbors’ recollections differ regarding the countless battles, what happened and when.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Conflicts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conflicts. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
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