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

Adding to the political theater, the Santa Cruz County prosecutors, who took on the case due to a conflict of interest in the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office, asked a judge to dismiss the charges last month. —Devan Patel, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024

While Trump, who is the primary shareholder of Trump Media with a 57.6% stake in the company, can legally hold onto his shares while in office, there is a conflict of interest. —Rocio Fabbro, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024

The Hovde campaign said the relationship presented a conflict of interest. —David Sivak, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 6 Nov. 2024

Critics have said this position would represent a conflict of interest for Musk. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1860, in the meaning defined above

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