1
as in strife
a lack of agreement or harmony
the conflict between absolute freedom and personal responsibility
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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
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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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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of conflict
Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 19 June 2025
But some of these same nations have also had to spend significant amounts managing shark-human conflict, often trying to strike a balance between public safety and tourism dollars.
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025
Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025
And where there is good data, examples conflicting with Elton’s ideas are easy to find: Some highly diverse ecosystems do indeed resist outsiders, but others are just as easily overtaken by a new species.
—Gabriel Popkin, Quanta Magazine, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for conflict
Noun
The Israel-Iran conflict continues unabated, with Israeli media reports that Iran fired dozens of 30 ballistic missiles at Israel on Thursday morning.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 19 June 2025
But some of these same nations have also had to spend significant amounts managing shark-human conflict, often trying to strike a balance between public safety and tourism dollars.
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025
Verb
Each group also has its own aims and tactics, some of which directly conflict with others, complicating efforts to establish a united front amid the country's most devastating conflict since the 1980s Iran-Iraq War.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025
And where there is good data, examples conflicting with Elton’s ideas are easy to find: Some highly diverse ecosystems do indeed resist outsiders, but others are just as easily overtaken by a new species.
—Gabriel Popkin, Quanta Magazine, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for conflict
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conflict
Noun
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The Middle East strife also led to a joint statement from G7 leaders, which affirmed support for Israel and sought a resolution to the region’s tensions.—
Patrick Knickerbocker,
CNBC,
17 June 2025
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In the absence of a viable, united, and organized alternative inside or outside Iran, the fall of the Islamic Republic might send the country into a period of civil strife—or lead to a military dictatorship determined to obtain nuclear deterrence.—
Ali Vaez,
Foreign Affairs,
16 June 2025
Noun
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India, the fanatical cricket country, against England, the founding fathers of the game, will be a clash of styles.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
19 June 2025
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The clash between the two drivers was likely carried forward from the previous race in Detroit, where McLaughlin crashed into Siegel from behind, causing him to get knocked out of the race.—
Saajan Jogia,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 June 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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Rivals follows the rivalry between an old money MP, Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell) and Tony, Lord Baddingham (David Tennant), who clash over control of a fictional independent TV station in the 1980s.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
13 June 2025
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According to a report from TMZ Sports, the on-screen rivalry has become deeply personal.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 June 2025
Verb
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An Aptos man who was found dead in Moss Landing Harbor had reportedly been fighting with another man after their boats collided.—
Bay Area News Group,
Mercury News,
12 June 2025
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Ancient Europe and North America collided, forcing up the vast Caledonian Mountains, which once rivaled the Himalayas in scale.—
David Nikel,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2025
Noun
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Many more are disturbed by the politicization of churches and turned off by dogmas that promote hate and discord, finding religious teachings and traditions to be outdated and incompatible with their values.—
James Bickerton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 June 2025
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Indeed, such strife and discord have been the rule, not the exception.—
Sean Durns,
The Washington Examiner,
6 June 2025
Noun
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One skirmish involved the arrest of a union leader, David Huerta, president of the Service Employees International Union of California, who said he was injured and detained by ICE.—
Sudiksha Kochi,
USA Today,
9 June 2025
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Alongside Israeli military drills, stalled diplomatic talks, and proxy skirmishes, these hostile warnings signal a dangerous escalation.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
Noun
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After Hamas conducted a surprise attack against Israel in October 2023, the group was backed in the ensuing war with Israel by Iran and its Axis of Resistance coalition of non-state actors in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria and Yemen.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 June 2025
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Politics was responsible for war, for propaganda, for division.—
Kamila Shamsie
June 20,
Literary Hub,
20 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Conflict.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conflict. Accessed 26 Jun. 2025.
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