internal conflict
Americannoun
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internal conflicts
plural
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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.
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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.
But the government—with a feeble military, weak economy and fear of stoking internal conflict like the 1975-90 civil war—lacks enforcement capabilities.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 17, 2026
This constant internal conflict raises a long-standing mystery.
From Science Daily ● Jan. 26, 2026
The contradictory findings have since triggered internal conflict among L.A.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 31, 2025
Matrilocal societies are also less likely to experience internal conflict, she says.
From BBC ● Jan. 15, 2025
The man versus self conflict, such as a man facing a crisis of courage, is an internal conflict.
From Sequential Problem Solving A Student Handbook with Checklists for Successful Critical Thinking by Fredric Lozo
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.
