1
as in strife
a lack of agreement or harmony
the conflict between absolute freedom and personal responsibility
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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
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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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4
as in rivalry
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
the eternal conflict between the forces of good and evil
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of conflict
Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 19 June 2025
But some of these same nations have also had to spend significant amounts managing shark-human conflict, often trying to strike a balance between public safety and tourism dollars.
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025
Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025
And where there is good data, examples conflicting with Elton’s ideas are easy to find: Some highly diverse ecosystems do indeed resist outsiders, but others are just as easily overtaken by a new species.
—Gabriel Popkin, Quanta Magazine, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for conflict
Noun
The Israel-Iran conflict continues unabated, with Israeli media reports that Iran fired dozens of 30 ballistic missiles at Israel on Thursday morning.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 19 June 2025
But some of these same nations have also had to spend significant amounts managing shark-human conflict, often trying to strike a balance between public safety and tourism dollars.
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025
Verb
Each group also has its own aims and tactics, some of which directly conflict with others, complicating efforts to establish a united front amid the country's most devastating conflict since the 1980s Iran-Iraq War.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025
And where there is good data, examples conflicting with Elton’s ideas are easy to find: Some highly diverse ecosystems do indeed resist outsiders, but others are just as easily overtaken by a new species.
—Gabriel Popkin, Quanta Magazine, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for conflict
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conflict
Noun
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The Middle East strife also led to a joint statement from G7 leaders, which affirmed support for Israel and sought a resolution to the region’s tensions.—
Patrick Knickerbocker,
CNBC,
17 June 2025
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Peacock’s latest cop drama shines an unflinching light on a pair of siblings divided by the ongoing strife of the American opioid crisis.—
Destiny Jackson,
Deadline,
16 June 2025
Noun
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India, the fanatical cricket country, against England, the founding fathers of the game, will be a clash of styles.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
19 June 2025
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The clash between the two drivers was likely carried forward from the previous race in Detroit, where McLaughlin crashed into Siegel from behind, causing him to get knocked out of the race.—
Saajan Jogia,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 June 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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McIntyre believes their rivalry was proof that personal tension can enhance storytelling.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
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In the final, Waters renewed her years-long rivalry against her former doubles partner and won with ease 6,1.—
Todd Boss,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
Verb
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This pattern plays out in both our personal and professional lives, where women are often expected to adjust their schedules and make compromises when family responsibilities collide with work.—
Julia Korn,
Forbes.com,
24 June 2025
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The Mercedes flipped onto its roof and slid across the road into oncoming traffic, then collided with another car, a 2015 Lexus RX 350.—
Angie DiMichele,
Sun Sentinel,
24 June 2025
Noun
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More: Trump says US intel briefed him about how Iran wants to assassinate him to sow discord in US Tehran’s regional power also has been eroded by the death of its strongest regional ally, Syrian strongman Bashir al-Assad.—
Josh Meyer,
USA Today,
23 June 2025
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Success, progress and wins tend to naturally quiet the discord.—
Joe Altieri,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
Noun
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The protests were substantially peaceful, although small skirmishes resulting in arrests, damage to property and injuries broke out when police tried to disperse the crowd with rubber bullets and tear gas.—
Megan Schrader,
Denver Post,
22 June 2025
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The Fever emerged with an 88-71 win after a game that featured a pair of skirmishes, including a fight in the final minute that led to three ejections.—
Chuck Schilken,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2025
Noun
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After Hamas conducted a surprise attack against Israel in October 2023, the group was backed in the ensuing war with Israel by Iran and its Axis of Resistance coalition of non-state actors in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria and Yemen.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 June 2025
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Over the last two months, Trump has said repeatedly that various answers to questions about the war, including U.S. assistance to Ukraine, would be just two weeks away.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
20 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Conflict.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conflict. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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