Conflict — Meaning, Definition & Examples

Definition

1. A serious disagreement or argument between people or groups.
2. A war or prolonged armed struggle.
3. A clash between opposing ideas, needs, or wishes.
4. (verb) to be incompatible or at odds with something.

Context Alive

The team meeting started calmly enough, but within minutes, two senior managers were arguing loudly about the project’s direction. One wanted to cut costs while the other insisted on maintaining quality at any price. Their conflict had been simmering for months, and now everyone in the room sat uncomfortably as voices rose, accusations flew, and it became clear that someone would have to step in before the disagreement derailed the entire project.

Meanings

5 meanings

1 A serious disagreement or argument (Noun) — VERY COMMON Common ▼

This is the meaning you’ll hear most often in everyday life. A conflict is when two or more people or groups strongly disagree about something and can’t easily find common ground. Think about two coworkers who have very different ideas about how to handle a project — if neither backs down and tensions keep rising, that disagreement becomes a conflict that affects everyone around them. Or imagine neighbors who argue constantly about noise, parking, or property lines — that ongoing conflict makes the whole street uncomfortable. The word suggests something deeper and more serious than a simple disagreement.

Vivid Example

The conflict between the two business partners had grown so bitter that they now communicated only through their lawyers, unable to be in the same room without arguing.

2 A war or armed struggle (Noun) — COMMON Common ▼

In news and history, conflict often refers to military fighting between countries, groups, or factions. It sounds more formal and neutral than “war,” which is why journalists and diplomats often prefer it. Imagine watching the news and hearing about an ongoing conflict in a distant region, with reporters describing troop movements, civilian casualties, and failed peace talks. Or think about history class, where you learned about various conflicts that shaped national borders and changed governments forever.

Vivid Example

The conflict between the two neighboring countries had lasted over a decade, displacing millions of families who dreamed of nothing more than returning to homes that no longer existed.

3 A clash between opposing ideas, needs, or desires (Noun) — COMMON Common ▼

Sometimes conflict isn’t between people but between ideas, responsibilities, or desires pulling in different directions. You know when you really want to take a dream vacation but you also need to save money for a house? That’s a conflict between two things you want equally. Or think about a working parent who feels torn between staying late at the office and being home for their child’s school play — that conflict between career and family is something millions of people struggle with every day.

Vivid Example

She faced a painful conflict between her loyalty to her family’s traditions and her desire to pursue a career path they would never approve of, spending sleepless nights weighing both sides.

4 To be incompatible or clash (Verb) — COMMON Common ▼

As a verb, conflict means that two things don’t work together — they clash or contradict each other. Imagine you’re trying to schedule a doctor’s appointment but every available time conflicts with meetings you can’t miss, leaving you frustrated and stuck. Or think about a witness in court whose story conflicts with what another witness said — the two accounts don’t match, and someone isn’t telling the truth. This meaning often appears with the preposition “with.”

Vivid Example

His statement to the police conflicted with the security camera footage so dramatically that investigators immediately began questioning whether he had been at the scene at all.

5 An internal struggle or dilemma (Noun) — LESS COMMON Common ▼

In psychology and storytelling, conflict often describes the inner turmoil a person feels when facing difficult choices or contradictory emotions. This is the heart of drama — characters wrestling with themselves. Picture someone who discovers their best friend has done something illegal and struggles with whether to report it or stay silent. That inner conflict between loyalty and doing what’s right creates tension and keeps audiences hooked until the very end.

Vivid Example

The novel’s protagonist experienced deep internal conflict throughout the story, torn between seeking revenge for his father’s death and honoring his mother’s dying wish for him to choose forgiveness.

Examples from the Street

“There’s been a lot of conflict between the two departments lately.”

There’s been significant tension and disagreement between the two teams recently

“His story conflicts with what the witnesses told police.”

His version contradicts and doesn’t match what the observers reported

“I have a conflict on Friday — can we reschedule?”

I have a scheduling clash that day — can we find another time?

Common Patterns

conflict between A and B → disagreement or tension between two parties

conflict with someone → disagreement or clash with a person

conflict over something → disagreement about a particular issue

in conflict (with) → in a state of disagreement or opposition

come into conflict (with) → begin to disagree or clash

resolve/avoid a conflict → fix or prevent a disagreement

armed/military conflict → war or fighting with weapons

violent conflict → fighting involving physical force

conflict zone/area → a region where fighting is happening

end/escalate a conflict → stop or intensify fighting

something conflicts with something → two things contradict each other

conflicting noun → contradictory (conflicting accounts, conflicting interests)

directly conflict → clearly contradict

have a conflict → have a scheduling clash (American)

a scheduling conflict → two events at the same time

conflict of interest → situation where personal interests interfere with professional duties

Collocations

5 collocations

conflict of interest

a situation where personal gain clashes with duty

armed conflict

fighting between military groups

resolve a conflict

find a solution to a disagreement

internal conflict

a struggle happening within yourself

conflict resolution

the process of solving disputes

Example Sentences

12 examples

1

There’s always conflict between the sales team and the finance department

There’s constant tension and disagreement between those who sell and those who manage the money.

2

She’s been in conflict with her neighbour for years over the garden fence

She’s had an ongoing dispute with the person next door about the boundary barrier for ages.

3

The two countries came into conflict over control of the oil fields

The two nations began fighting because both wanted ownership of the petroleum reserves.

4

We need to resolve this conflict before it damages the whole team

We must sort out this disagreement before it harms everyone in the group.

5

Thousands of civilians have fled the conflict zone

Huge numbers of ordinary people have escaped the area where fighting is taking place.

6

The region has seen decades of armed conflict with no end in sight

The area has experienced years of warfare with no sign of peace coming.

7

Your statement directly conflicts with what you said yesterday

What you’re claiming now clearly contradicts the words you used twenty-four hours ago.

8

The witnesses gave conflicting accounts of what happened

The observers provided contradictory versions of the events.

9

Sorry, I have a conflict at 3pm — can we meet earlier?

Apologies, I’ve got something else booked for that time — could we get together sooner?

10

The judge had to step down due to a conflict of interest

The magistrate was forced to withdraw because personal connections interfered with professional fairness.

Learner Examples

★

There’s often conflict between what students want to learn and what the syllabus requires them to study

There’s frequently tension between the topics learners are interested in and the material the curriculum demands they cover.

★

Learning a new language can come into conflict with your native language — sometimes the grammar rules directly contradict each other

Acquiring a foreign tongue can clash with your mother tongue — occasionally the structural patterns are completely opposite.

Phrasal Verbs & Idioms

2 items

Idioms & Expressions

conflict of interest — competing personal and professional duties

Hiring your cousin would be a conflict of interest.

come into conflict — begin to disagree or fight

The two departments often come into conflict over budgets.

Synonyms & Antonyms

7 items

Synonyms

disagreement

not seeing eye to eye

clash

a direct confrontation

dispute

an argument about something

tension

underlying friction

Antonyms

agreement

being on the same page

harmony

peaceful coexistence

peace

absence of conflict