conflict
gb/kˈɑnflɪkt/ us/kˈɑnflɪkt/
B1
English
~ 1400
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
event
1
serious disagreement or fight
A strong fight or disagreement between people, groups, or countries.
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] is in conflict with [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'conflict' with 'combat' — 'combat' usually refers specifically to physical fighting, while 'conflict' can be non-physical.
Synonyms
dispute (Usually refers to a verbal disagreement; can be less intense than 'conflict'.)
|
clash (Often implies a sudden or intense confrontation.)
Antonyms
agreement (Represents a state of harmony rather than opposition.)
|
peace (The absence of conflict or war.)
Collocations
armed conflict
|conflict resolution
|conflict of interest
|internal conflict
|violent conflict
Themes
emotions
|politics
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The two countries have been in armed conflict for decades.
- There is a growing conflict between the workers and management.
- The conflict over the land has lasted for generations.
- She tried to avoid conflict by staying quiet.
- The peace treaty ended years of violent conflict.
Learner examples
- The two groups are in conflict.
- There is a big conflict at work.
- They want to stop the conflict.
- The conflict is between two countries.
- He does not like conflict.
Verb
B2
state
2
to be in opposition
To be different from something so that both cannot be true or happen together.
Usage pattern:
[something] conflicts with [something]
Common mistake:
Some learners mistakenly say 'conflict to' instead of 'conflict with'. The correct preposition is 'with'.
Synonyms
contradict (Focuses on stating the opposite of something said.)
|
clash (Often implies a strong difference in opinion or style.)
Antonyms
align (Means to match or agree in position or purpose.)
|
agree (Means to share the same opinion or position.)
Collocations
conflict with values
|conflict with plans
|conflict with beliefs
Themes
relationships
|logic
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- His actions conflict with his stated beliefs.
- The meeting time conflicts with my other appointment.
- These rules conflict with our company policy.
- Her story conflicts with the witness's account.
Learner examples
- This idea conflicts with the plan.
- The date conflicts with my trip.
- His words conflict with his actions.
- The law conflicts with the rule.
Noun
B2
entity
3
story character's struggle
A problem that a person in a story must deal with.
Synonyms
struggle (Emphasizes effort against difficulty rather than opposition between parties.)
Collocations
internal conflict
|character conflict
|plot conflict
Themes
literature
|arts_entertainment
|education
Examples
- The main character's internal conflict makes the story more interesting.
- Every good novel has some form of conflict.
- The film explores the conflict between duty and desire.
Learner examples
- The hero has an internal conflict.
- A story needs some conflict.
- There is a conflict between love and duty.
Grammar
Dictionary form
conflict
IPA
GB/kˈɑnflɪkt/
US/kˈɑnflɪkt/
Syllables & stress
con - flict (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (con)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: conflict
- Plural: conflict, conflicts
Verb
- Base: conflict
- 3rd Person Singular: conflicts
- Present Participle: conflicting
- Past: conflicted
Word family
Forms
conflicts
noun
conflicting
verb
conflicted
verb
Expressions
come into conflict (with)
1/kˈʌm ˈɪntu kˈɑnflɪkt wˈɪθ/
fixed phrase
start disagreeing seriously
To start having a big disagreement or fight with someone or something.
Examples
- He came into conflict with his boss over the new policy.
- The two groups came into conflict during the meeting.
in conflict (with)
1/ˈɪn kˈɑnflɪkt wˈɪθ/
fixed phrase
in opposition or disagreement
In a state of strong disagreement or fighting with someone or something.
Examples
- Their goals are in conflict with each other.
- She found herself in conflict with local authorities.
conflict of interest
1/kˈɑnflɪkt əv ˈɪntɚˌɛst/
fixed phrase
formal
personal interest affecting duty
When someone's personal needs or wants could affect how they do their job fairly.
Examples
- The judge resigned due to a conflict of interest.
- He declared his financial ties to avoid any conflict of interest.
conflict of interest
2/kˈɑnflɪkt əv ˈɪntɚˌɛst/
fixed phrase
Personal benefit clashes with duty
A situation where you could make a decision to help yourself instead of doing what is right for your job or role.
Examples
- Working for two competing companies could create a conflict of interest.
- He resigned to avoid any conflict of interest.