conflict of interest

noun phrase

: a conflict between the private interests and the official responsibilities of a person in a position of trust

Examples of conflict of interest in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Many also fear the apparent conflict of interest in Musk overseeing the agencies that regulate his companies that have contracts with the government. Eric Cortellessa, TIME, 23 Jan. 2025 Trump has pledged to hand management of his assets to his children, but ethics experts have criticized his crypto ventures as raising conflict of interest issues and stoking speculation in a volatile asset class. Tom Westbrook, USA TODAY, 22 Jan. 2025 While executive branch employees must follow conflict of interest criminal statutes that prevent them from participating in matters that impact their own financial interests, the law does not apply to the president or the vice president. Lex Harvey, Auzinea Bacon and Matt Egan, CNN, 20 Jan. 2025 This may represent the single worst conflict of interest in the modern history of the presidency. Justin Gest, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for conflict of interest 

Word History

First Known Use

1860, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of conflict of interest was in 1860

Dictionary Entries Near conflict of interest

Cite this Entry

“Conflict of interest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conflict%20of%20interest. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.

Legal Definition

conflict of interest

con·​flict of interest
ˈkän-ˌflikt-
1
: a conflict between the private interests and the official or professional responsibilities of a person in a position of trust
2
: a conflict between competing duties (as in an attorney's representation of clients with adverse interests) see also ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct
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