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conflict

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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 study challenges the common idea that conflict is always harmful and that being soft and forgiving is always beneficial. Mark Travers, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025 When conflict arises — a toddler might have a tearful tantrum, or an older kid may shout or lash out — a ‘democratic parent’ should be mindful of the fact that there is likely a root cause of the difficult behavior. Miranda Rake, Parents, 14 Mar. 2025
Verb
What To Know In 2016, Llamas, who was a weekend anchor of ABC World News Tonight, asked then-presidential candidate Trump about conflicting Iowa fundraising reports. Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025 There have been conflicting reports on the number of devices comprising Eleven11bot. Ars Technica, 6 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for conflict
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conflict
Noun
  • Popov has a great feel for the easy warmth coursing between every member of the family, even in moments of strife, and the cast share a fun and comfortable chemistry.
    Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Mar. 2025
  • That’s likely, in large part, because of the U.S. political environment—President Donald Trump’s flurry of tariffs has given brands and retailers some strife, as have price-sensitive consumers reacting to the president’s policies.
    Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 12 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Duke won 76-65 on the road in Louisville in the only regular-season clash between these teams.
    Mark Davis, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Read more: • Schumer clashes with liberal colleagues over House GOP funding bill.
    Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 14 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Security guarantees for Ukraine that are directly tied to the cessation of hostilities can advance all three of these objectives.
    Samuel Charap, Foreign Affairs, 24 Dec. 2024
  • But Israel's military plans for a major offensive in Gaza may reshape the course of the conflict, depending on the outcome of talks and possible further hostilities.
    Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Both Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are off the injury report for this game, giving themselves the green light for this rivalry game.
    William Lambers, Newsweek, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Even today, gangsta and drill rappers make headlines right here in Chicago when their music explodes into rivalries and retaliatory murders.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 8 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Roxann Johnson, 64, died after her car collided with a semi-truck in Lapeer County, Mich., on Tuesday, March 4, around 7:30 a.m.
    Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 8 Mar. 2025
  • The charter buses collided in a construction zone, according to KBMT.
    Rhiannon Saegert, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Beyond the contributions of our honorees, we are all empowered to be peacemakers – to ease the discord and divisiveness in society today.
    Steven P. Dinkin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Mar. 2025
  • The party is racked by discord over its position on social issues – especially trans rights and, to an only slightly lesser degree, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies.
    Niall Stanage, The Hill, 15 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The killings helped ignite the Revolutionary War that began following the April 19, 1775, skirmishes called the Battle of Lexington and Concord and the vastly bloodier June 17, 1775, Battle of Bunker Hill in Charlestown.
    Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Since the onset of Israel’s war against Hamas, the Israel Defense Forces engaged in cross-border skirmishes with Hezbollah – including ground operations on Lebanese soil – until a ceasefire deal was struck late last year.
    Greg Norman, Fox News, 28 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Many of the countries targeted have hit back with their own counter tariffs, some economists arguing a global trade war could push the U.S. economy into recession.
    Mark Davis, Newsweek, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Listen to this article With a trade war escalating, a broad cross-section of employers in Connecticut are slowing down expansion and hiring, and consumers are reining in spending sparked by worries of higher prices.
    Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 16 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Conflict.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conflict. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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