internal conflict
Americannoun
-
psychological struggle within the mind of a literary or dramatic character, the resolution of which creates the plot's suspense.
Hamlet's inaction is caused by internal conflict.
-
mental struggle arising from opposing demands or impulses.
Usage
What is an internal conflict? Internal conflict is a struggle within a person’s mind over a problem or question. That’s why it’s called internal.
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of internal conflict
First recorded in 1580–90
Compare meaning
How does internal-conflict compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Cepeda has pledged economic reforms if elected, including expanding welfare benefits and handing land to victims of internal conflict.
From BBC ● May 31, 2026
This constant internal conflict raises a long-standing mystery.
From Science Daily ● Jan. 26, 2026
The nature of the work does produce some internal conflict.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 12, 2026
That actor should also be of Middle Eastern descent and have the depth to seamlessly convey a person wrestling with both external and internal conflict.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 27, 2025
The second type of internal conflict, the man versus self conflict exhibit certain human character weaknesses that can be identified with the acronym FALL: fear, arrogance, laziness, and loneliness.
From Sequential Problem Solving A Student Handbook with Checklists for Successful Critical Thinking by Lozo, Fredric
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
