conflict
pronunciation
How to pronounce conflict in British English:
UK [ˈkɒnflɪkt , kənˈflɪkt]
How to pronounce conflict in American English:
US [ˈkɑːnflɪkt , kənˈflɪkt]
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- Noun:
- an open clash between two opposing groups (or individuals)
- opposition between two simultaneous but incompatible feelings
- a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
- a state of opposition between persons or ideas or interests
- an incompatibility of dates or events
- opposition in a work of drama or fiction between characters or forces (especially an opposition that motivates the development of the plot)
- a disagreement or argument about something important
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- Verb:
- be in conflict
- go against, as of rules and laws
Word Origin
- conflict
- conflict: see profligate
- conflict (v.)
- early 15c., from Latin conflictus, past participle of confligere "to strike together, be in conflict," from com- "together" (see com-) + fligere "to strike" (see afflict). Related: Conflicted; conflicting.
- conflict (n.)
- early 15c., "armed encounter, battle," from Old French conflit and directly from Latin conflictus (see conflict (v.)). Meaning "struggle, quarrel" is from mid-15c. Psychological sense of "incompatible urges in one person" is from 1859 (hence conflicted, past participle adjective). Phrase conflict of interest was in use by 1743.
Example
- 1. Are trade and environment in conflict ?
- 2. I 'm not trying to instigate conflict here .
- 3. That conflict shows no sign of ending .
- 4. A damaging spiral of tit-for-tat conflict could swiftly ensue .
- 5. It is a frequent source of conflict and cruelty .