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Showing results for "conflicting"
Synonyms

conflicting

American  
[kuhn-flik-ting] / kənˈflɪk tɪŋ /

adjective

  1. being in conflict or disagreement; not compatible.

    conflicting viewpoints.


conflicting British  
/ kənˈflɪktɪŋ /

adjective

  1. clashing; contradictory

    conflicting rumours

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of conflicting

First recorded in 1600–10; conflict + -ing 2

Explanation

Feeling at odds? In total disagreement? Then you're probably dealing with something conflicting. The adjective conflicting is rooted in the word conflict for a reason: When things are conflicting they're in conflict, disagreeing or contradicting each other. Conflicting reports or theories go against each other. Sometimes people get conflicting emotions when they're torn over a really hard decision. And conflicting personalities? They're completely incompatible.

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Vocabulary lists containing conflicting

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.

See Examples For:

A payable-on-death or beneficiary designation is a contract and, as such, trumps a conflicting provision in the will.

From MarketWatch Sep. 14, 2026

These conflicting emotions are cued by music that enacts the characters’ inner lives.

From The Wall Street Journal Sep. 4, 2026

The public also received conflicting information and messaging on whether ammonia, a toxic chemical, was present in the smoke.

From Los Angeles Times Sep. 4, 2026

“Americans are hearing conflicting messages about vaccines right now, and it’s understandable that people are asking whom they should trust,” Dr. Bruce Gellin of the Vaccine Integrity Project told NPR.

From Salon Sep. 2, 2026

I’ve heard conflicting accounts of why Shawn fell.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover

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