conflict Meaning, Definition & Usage
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noun an open clash between two opposing groups (or individuals)
battle; struggle.
- the harder the conflict the more glorious the triumph"--Thomas Paine
- police tried to control the battle between the pro- and anti-abortion mobs
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noun opposition between two simultaneous but incompatible feelings
- he was immobilized by conflict and indecision
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noun a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
battle; engagement; fight.
- Grant won a decisive victory in the battle of Chickamauga
- he lost his romantic ideas about war when he got into a real engagement
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noun a state of opposition between persons or ideas or interests
- his conflict of interest made him ineligible for the post
- a conflict of loyalties
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noun an incompatibility of dates or events
- he noticed a conflict in the dates of the two meetings
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noun opposition in a work of drama or fiction between characters or forces (especially an opposition that motivates the development of the plot)
- this form of conflict is essential to Mann's writing
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noun a disagreement or argument about something important
difference of opinion; difference; dispute.
- he had a dispute with his wife
- there were irreconcilable differences
- the familiar conflict between Republicans and Democrats
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verb be in conflict
- The two proposals conflict!
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verb go against, as of rules and laws
run afoul; infringe; contravene.
- He ran afoul of the law
- This behavior conflicts with our rules