conflict

American  

[kuhn-flikt, kon-flikt] / kənˈflɪkt, ˈkɒn flɪkt /

verb (used without object)

1. to come into collision or disagreement; be contradictory, at variance, or in opposition; clash.

   The account of one eyewitness conflicted with that of the other. My class conflicts with my going to the concert.

   Synonyms:

   oppose, collide

2. to fight or contend; do battle.

---

noun

1. a fight, battle, or struggle, especially a prolonged struggle; strife.

   Synonyms:

   siege, encounter

2. controversy; quarrel.

   conflicts between parties.

   Antonyms:

   accord

3. discord of action, feeling, or effect; antagonism or opposition, as of interests or principles.

   a conflict of ideas.

   Synonyms:

   opposition, contention

4. a striking together; collision.

5. incompatibility or interference, as of one idea, desire, event, or activity with another.

   a conflict in the schedule.

6. Psychiatry. a mental struggle arising from opposing demands or impulses.

conflict British  

noun

1. a struggle or clash between opposing forces; battle

2. a state of opposition between ideas, interests, etc; disagreement or controversy

3. a clash, as between two appointments made for the same time

4. psychol opposition between two simultaneous but incompatible wishes or drives, sometimes leading to a state of emotional tension and thought to be responsible for neuroses

---

verb

1. to come into opposition; clash

2. to fight

Related Words

See fight.

Other Word Forms

• confliction noun
• conflictive adjective
• conflictory adjective
• nonconflictive adjective
• preconflict verb (used without object)
• self-conflict noun
• unconflictive adjective

Etymology

Origin of conflict

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English (noun), from Latin conflīctus “a striking together,” equivalent to conflīg(ere) “to strike together, contend” ( con- con- + flīgere “to strike”) + -tus suffix of verb action; (verb) from Latin conflīctus, past participle of conflīgere, or by verb use of the noun

Example Sentences

It has largely fallen since the military conflict began on Feb. 28.

From MarketWatch

The Bank of Mexico will assess timing for an additional rate cut, citing Middle East conflict uncertainty and raising inflation forecasts.

From The Wall Street Journal

Headline inflation in Canada dropped below 2% in February, prior to the sharp jump in energy prices due to the Middle East conflict.

From The Wall Street Journal

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has emerged as one of Europe’s fiercest critics of the conflict in Iran.

From The Wall Street Journal

"Due to the ongoing Iran-US conflict... Jedco must proactively manage its available energy reserves... we are prioritising a strategic rationing of power," it said.

From BBC

Related Words

• battle
• clash
• combat
• competition
• rivalry
• strife
• struggle
• war