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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of conflict
Daphne Psaledakis, USA Today, 11 July 2025
If China serves as a balanced mediator during diplomatic discussions in both conflicts, this could bolster China’s trade relationships with the countries in both regions.
—Mark Temnycky, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 4 July 2025
The provision allowed Medicaid enrollees to seek care from any qualified provider, such as Planned Parenthood, and conflicted with a South Carolina policy that barred Medicaid patients from obtaining any care from a clinic that provides abortions.
—Elizabeth B. Kim, The Enquirer, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for conflict
Noun
The visit is part of an effort to renew U.S. focus on the Indo-Pacific and look beyond conflicts in the Middle East and Europe that have consumed much of the Trump administration's attention.
—Daphne Psaledakis, USA Today, 11 July 2025
If China serves as a balanced mediator during diplomatic discussions in both conflicts, this could bolster China’s trade relationships with the countries in both regions.
—Mark Temnycky, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
Verb
That may seem to conflict with recent research showing young people, particularly Gen Z, drinking less.
—Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 4 July 2025
The provision allowed Medicaid enrollees to seek care from any qualified provider, such as Planned Parenthood, and conflicted with a South Carolina policy that barred Medicaid patients from obtaining any care from a clinic that provides abortions.
—Elizabeth B. Kim, The Enquirer, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for conflict
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conflict
Noun
-
The song has also regained popularity during times of national strife or tragedy, including during the Gulf War and in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks.—
Ashley Hume , Larry Fink,
FOXNews.com,
4 July 2025
-
The astronauts, when first leaving earth, looked back on their home planet from outer space and saw, in the darkness, a beautiful and vulnerable globe, so small and blue and fragile, undivided by borders or political strife.—
Laurie Sheck
July 2,
Literary Hub,
2 July 2025
Noun
-
Steve Garcia When the betting odds were first published for the Calvin Kattar vs. Steve Garcia featherweight clash, Garcia was listed as a -140 betting favorite over the +115 Kattar.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
-
President Donald Trump broke his silence one day after reports of a clash between U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino about the release of a memo regarding Jeffrey Epstein, which prompted conservatives on social media to call for the president to fire her.—
Peter Aitken,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 July 2025
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
The remarks were filled with provocations and intended to sow discord.—
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 June 2025
Noun
-
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
-
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
Noun
-
The bomb hasn’t been used since, apart from test blasts, and after the Cold War ended in 1991, the risk of nuclear war mercifully declined.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
14 July 2025
-
This figure has been steadily decreasing since the Ukraine war broke out in 2022, according to statistics compiled by the U.S. Census Bureau.—
Zachary Folk,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Conflict.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conflict. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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