conflict 1 of 2

1
2
3
4

conflict

2 of 2

verb

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun conflict contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of conflict are contention, discord, dissension, strife, and variance. While all these words mean "a state or condition marked by a lack of agreement or harmony," conflict usually stresses the action of forces in opposition but in static applications implies an irreconcilability as of duties or desires.

the conflict of freedom and responsibility

In what contexts can contention take the place of conflict?

The words contention and conflict are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, contention applies to strife or competition that shows itself in quarreling, disputing, or controversy.

several points of contention about the new zoning law

When might discord be a better fit than conflict?

Although the words discord and conflict have much in common, discord implies an intrinsic or essential lack of harmony producing quarreling, factiousness, or antagonism.

a political party long racked by discord

When can dissension be used instead of conflict?

The synonyms dissension and conflict are sometimes interchangeable, but dissension implies strife or discord and stresses a division into factions.

religious dissension threatened to split the colony

Where would strife be a reasonable alternative to conflict?

In some situations, the words strife and conflict are roughly equivalent. However, strife emphasizes a struggle for superiority rather than the incongruity or incompatibility of the persons or things involved.

during his brief reign the empire was never free of civil strife

When could variance be used to replace conflict?

While in some cases nearly identical to conflict, variance implies a clash between persons or things owing to a difference in nature, opinion, or interest.

cultural variances that work against a national identity

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of conflict
Noun
The administration understands the profound risks involved — particularly the catastrophic damage to US credibility if such an operation failed or descended into prolonged conflict. Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 10 Oct. 2025 Belliveau said MedGlobal runs 16 different medical points throughout Gaza, many of which had to close over the past year due to the surrounding conflict and had to be moved. Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
The center guides parties through community issues like noise but also conflicts with roommates and landlords. Gina Lee Castro, jsonline.com, 8 Oct. 2025 Daniels also said the bill could conflict with the higher education overhaul, Senate Bill 1, which prohibits universities from taking a position on controversial beliefs or policies. Jessie Balmert, Cincinnati Enquirer, 6 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for conflict
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conflict
Noun
  • The clash among the neighborhoods mirrored his internal strife over his biracial identity.
    Jazmine Hughes, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2025
  • From Gaza to Myanmar and Sudan, communities around the globe continue to suffer the consequences of war, civil strife and sectarian violence.
    Christopher P. Davey, The Conversation, 6 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • City sued after mayor blames Christians for violent clash with left-wing agitators.
    , FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2025
  • The clash among the neighborhoods mirrored his internal strife over his biracial identity.
    Jazmine Hughes, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The end of hostilities could also revive deals like a joint venture between BP and Abu Dhabi’s national oil company, which had been paused during the war.
    Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 14 Oct. 2025
  • The alliance should also increase its training with an eye toward degrading or destroying the Kaliningrad facilities should direct hostilities break out.
    James Stavridis, Twin Cities, 13 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • There is also a danger that anger with Hamas and rivalries within the Palestinian community in Gaza could now explode, analysts say.
    Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
  • The men’s opposing theories, murder versus suicide, became entangled in a rivalry over who had known and understood him best.
    Eren Orbey, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Key interactions include the Pacific Plate colliding with the North American, Eurasian, and Australian plates, among others.
    Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
  • The 31-year-old’s head collided with a pitchside LED advertising board after being pushed by his opponent during a match against Chongqing Tonglianglong on Sunday in China League One — the nation’s second division.
    Colin Millar, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Trustees ‘feel their powers have been reduced’ At the center of the current discord, according to a source, is the fact that Tata Sons is supposed to receive prior approval from Tata Trusts for any major financial investments.
    Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025
  • To what was such a spasmodic discord owed?
    Julio Cortázar, Literary Hub, 6 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The skirmish over the controller erupted as the Council and Nygren's office continued to disagree over how tribal funds were allocated within the government.
    Arlyssa D. Becenti, AZCentral.com, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Just when things appeared to cool down and players were separated, another skirmish occurred near the bleachers.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • From migrants and colonizers to gossip and war, Emily Wilson examines The Aeneid and its relevance to the modern world.
    tumblr.com, tumblr.com, 11 Oct. 2025
  • But our flights had been canceled amid rocket fire and regional escalation, fallout from Israel’s latest offensive in Gaza and its war with Iran.
    Reem Kassis, The Atlantic, 11 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Conflict.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conflict. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on conflict

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!