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
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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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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
Joshua Sammons, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
Scaring a black bear can reinforce its natural fear of people and help keep it from lingering in neighborhoods and other areas where conflicts often arise.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 30 June 2025
Brooke Migdon, The Hill, 25 June 2025
Furthermore, the intelligence assessments of the situation have been conflicting.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for conflict
Noun
One story dominated the headlines: President Donald Trump and the conflict between Israel and Iran.
—Joshua Sammons, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
Scaring a black bear can reinforce its natural fear of people and help keep it from lingering in neighborhoods and other areas where conflicts often arise.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 30 June 2025
Verb
California state officials and the CIF have said implementing Trump’s order would conflict with state laws against discrimination, including for transgender young people.
—Brooke Migdon, The Hill, 25 June 2025
Furthermore, the intelligence assessments of the situation have been conflicting.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for conflict
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conflict
Noun
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The lasting impact of the 1953 coup While the U.S. and Iran have butt heads over a range of issues since the 1979 revolution and hostage crisis, including years of strife over Iran’s nuclear program, the 1953 coup remains a critical event still invoked in modern Iran.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
24 June 2025
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Keeping the family home can feel like an important legacy to offer to your children, but not if ownership creates strife that imperils family relationships.—
Liz Weston,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 June 2025
Noun
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In many ways, the game might offer a blueprint for the quarterfinal clash against Paris Saint-Germain.—
Manuel Veth,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2025
-
The stage would seem to be set for another of the Capitol’s periodic work comp clashes.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
28 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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There’s been a lot of change in college football in recent years, but rivalries still form the foundation of the sport for so many fans.—
The Athletic College Football Staff,
New York Times,
7 July 2025
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Adding an element of controversy to what’s been an unusually friendly title rivalry, Piastri even suggested that if McLaren thought the call was unfair, the team could ask him and Norris to swap places to cancel the effect of the penalty.—
James Ellingworth,
Denver Post,
6 July 2025
Verb
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He’s been as healthy physically as he’s been in years, missing two weeks with a concussion after colliding with shortstop Carlos Correa in mid-May but otherwise playing nearly every day.—
Betsy Helfand,
Twin Cities,
6 July 2025
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Like the northern lights, the southern lights are born from solar particles colliding with the Earth's magnetic field, like during a solar storm.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
6 July 2025
Noun
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The key is discerning between those who are willing to grow and those who choose to sow discord.—
Jennifer C. Wolfe,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
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The remarks were filled with provocations and intended to sow discord.—
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 June 2025
Noun
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Could a Stronger Federal System Have Prevented the Texas Disaster and is this even the question to ask? America’s approach to disaster relief has long been one of the recurring skirmishes in the larger political theatre of governance.—
Alexander Puutio,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
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Yet Villa were short of cash and the lack of financial headroom brought skirmishes with profit and sustainability rules (PSR).—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
8 July 2025
Noun
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Iran Offer The flare-up between India and Pakistan has been overshadowed globally by the war between Israel and Iran, with the United States also joining strikes against Tehran's nuclear program.—
Jennifer Cunningham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 July 2025
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Israel’s war with Iran is over Unfortunately, the history of foreign policy and military mistakes shows the folly of assuming one’s opponents will behave as desired.—
Michael Lynch,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Conflict.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://x0upouf933.proxynodejs.usequeue.com/thesaurus/conflict. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.
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