1
as in strife
a lack of agreement or harmony
the conflict between absolute freedom and personal responsibility
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in clash
a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups
an armed conflict between strikers and strikebreakers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in hostilities
a state of armed violent struggle between states, nations, or groups
the United Nations strives to prevent international conflicts
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in rivalry
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
the eternal conflict between the forces of good and evil
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to clash
to be out of harmony or agreement usually noticeably
his statement conflicts with the facts, as given in the police report
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of conflict
David Brennan, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2025
Salah’s post was shared hundreds of thousands of times and represented a rare public statement from one of the game’s leading names about the conflict.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 17 Aug. 2025
Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Aug. 2025
He was conflicted about coming to New York in 1991 for his dad’s tribute, but that, along with nights performing covers of Nina Simone, Edith Piaf and Led Zeppelin and his own songs at the East Village coffee shop Sin-e led to a multimillion-dollar deal with Columbia Records.
—Eileen Finan, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for conflict
Noun
The president has previously incorrectly framed Ukraine as the initiator of the conflict, which began with Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2025
Salah’s post was shared hundreds of thousands of times and represented a rare public statement from one of the game’s leading names about the conflict.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 17 Aug. 2025
Verb
The discussion has been fueled by Cody's own recent, and often conflicting, public comments on the matter.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Aug. 2025
He was conflicted about coming to New York in 1991 for his dad’s tribute, but that, along with nights performing covers of Nina Simone, Edith Piaf and Led Zeppelin and his own songs at the East Village coffee shop Sin-e led to a multimillion-dollar deal with Columbia Records.
—Eileen Finan, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for conflict
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conflict
Noun
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In Swift's 2008 song, Romeo and Juliet embark on a giddy romance and ultimately overcome the strife between their families to get married.—
Rachel Raposas,
People.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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These strange yet sublime figures offer an escape from a world that’s become increasingly misunderstood amid raging geopolitical strife.—
Natasha Gural,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
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However, those same clashes can be transformed into deeper connections with a little effort and understanding.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
18 Aug. 2025
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Their stylistic clash delivered a thrilling 2024-25 regular-season showdown, with the Cavaliers edging out a 129-122 home victory.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
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These meetings initially took place virtually and then in person across different capitals, seeking a cessation of hostilities and the establishment of humanitarian corridors.—
Daniel R. Depetris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Apr. 2025
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But Putin had other ideas, tying a halt in hostilities to the West readmitting certain Russian banks into the West’s financial network.—
Daniel DePetris,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The dwindling embers of the Boise State-University of Idaho rivalry will receive a spark later this year.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
12 Aug. 2025
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This fight is the catalyst for one of the longest-running rivalries in the story.—
Devin Robertson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Aug. 2025
Verb
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What began in 1991 as a nonprofit safe haven for MCs has become a global brand — and on a summer night in Brooklyn, Lyricist Lounge’s legacy collided with Raekwon’s mafioso rap classic.—
Ime Ekpo,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
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The vehicle collided with the Maxima, driven by a 40-year-old woman, at the intersection of Salisbury Park Dr. and Carman Ave.—
Joseph Wilkinson,
New York Daily News,
11 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Social discord, financial struggles, and conflicts abroad continue to consume our country’s time, energy and resources.—
Matthew Beddingfield,
Scientific American,
2 Aug. 2025
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Teammates jumped into the fray to helped quell the discord.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
29 July 2025
Noun
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The only skirmish Wednesday was sparked by some trash-talking between Chuba Hubbard and Jenkins — yes, same Jenkins — and peaked when Jenkins threw a football at Hubbard’s helmet.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Aug. 2025
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Attorney: Separate skirmishes, no 'racist mob' Fox told The Enquirer that national and local voices have mischaracterized what actually happened.—
Kevin Grasha,
The Enquirer,
2 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Both wars for territory and the destabilization of neighbors swiftly destroy wealth.—
S. C. M. Paine,
Foreign Affairs,
19 Aug. 2025
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Nevertheless, history demonstrates that gold has consistently maintained purchasing power during significant upheavals – wars, recessions, inflation surges, and currency crises.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
19 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Conflict.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conflict. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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