conflict

con|flict¹ W2S2 [ˈkɔnflıkt US ˈka:n-] n

[Date: 1400-1500; : Latin; Origin: conflictus, from the past participle of confligere 'to strike together', from com- ( COM-) + fligere 'to strike']

1.) [U and C]

a state of disagreement or argument between people, groups, countries etc

conflict over

▪ conflicts over wage settlements

conflict between

▪ the conflict between tradition and innovation

in conflict (with sb)

▪ normal kids who are in conflict with their parents

political/social/industrial conflict

▪ social and political conflict in the 1930s

▪ the threat of industrial conflict in the coalfields

▪ Marx points out the potential conflicts below the surface of society.

▪ His views on the literal truth of the Bible brought him into conflict with other Christian leaders.

▪ Doctors exercise considerable power and often come into conflict with politicians.

▪ a lawyer specializing in conflict resolution

2.) [U and C]

fighting or a war

armed/military/violent conflict

▪ For years the region has been torn apart by armed conflicts.

▪ UN troops intervened to avert a threat of violent conflict.

▪ efforts to resolve the conflict

3.) [U and C]

a situation in which you have to choose between two or more opposite needs, influences etc

▪ As women increasingly went out to work, the possibility of a conflict of loyalties became stronger.

conflict between

▪ a conflict between the demands of one's work and one's family

in conflict (with sth)

▪ The principles of democracy are sometimes in conflict with political reality.

4.) [U and C]

a situation in which you have two opposite feelings about something

▪ a state of inner conflict

5.) AmE

something that you have to do at the same time that someone wants you to do something else

▪ Sorry, I have a conflict on Friday. Can we make it Monday?

6.) conflict of interest/interests

a) a situation in which you cannot do your job fairly because you will be affected by the decision you make

▪ There is a growing conflict of interest between her position as a politician and her business activities.

b) a situation in which different people want different things

conflict ²

con|flict² [kənˈflıkt] v [I]

if two ideas, beliefs, opinions etc conflict, they cannot exist together or both be true

conflict with

▪ new evidence which conflicts with previous findings

conflicting opinions/demands/interests etc

▪ I had been given a great deal of conflicting advice.

▪ There are conflicting views about what caused the accident.