conflict
conflict Lexical Profile
conflict Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A serious disagreement, argument, or struggle between individuals, groups, or nations, often protracted in nature.
"The mediators worked tirelessly to resolve the longstanding conflict between the two neighboring communities."
An incompatibility or variance between two or more opinions, principles, interests, or scheduled events.
"She had to decline the dinner invitation because of a scheduling conflict with her evening lecture."
A state of internal mental or emotional struggle resulting from opposing desires, impulses, or moral obligations.
"The novel explores the protagonist's inner conflict between family loyalty and personal ambition."
• verb
To be incompatible, contradictory, or at variance with another idea, statement, interest, or schedule.
"The witness's latest testimony seems to conflict with the earlier police report."
Word Nuance & Usage
'Conflict' is a heteronym whose stress shifts by part of speech: the noun is stressed on the first syllable (CON-flict), while the verb is stressed on the second syllable (con-FLICT).
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the early 15th century from Latin 'conflictus' ('a striking together, contest'), from the past participle of 'confligere' ('to strike together'), combining 'com-' ('with, together') and 'fligere' ('to strike').