conflict

A serious disagreement or fight between people or groups.

• They want to end the conflict.
• The conflict between the neighbors became bitter.
• Several conflicts have broken out in the region.

How to use it: conflict between A and B (The conflict between the two countries lasted years.); conflict over something (A conflict over land divided the community.)

Similar words: dispute, clash, struggle

Opposites: peace, agreement

Common phrases: armed conflict, conflict between groups, resolve a conflict, violent conflict

A situation where two plans, needs, or uses cannot work together or happen at the same time.

• I have a scheduling conflict tomorrow.
• The policy creates a conflict between work and family needs.
• These conflicts prevent both programs from using the same file.

How to use it: conflict with something (There is a conflict with another meeting.); conflict between A and B (There is a conflict between saving money and improving services.)

Similar words: clash, incompatibility

Opposites: compatibility

Common phrases: scheduling conflict, conflict with something, conflict of interest

If two things cannot both work, happen, or be true, they disagree or get in each other’s way.

• Their goals conflict.
• The new rule conflicts with our existing policy.
• Her statements conflicted with what the witnesses said.

How to use it: conflict with something (His account conflicts with the evidence.)

Similar words: clash, contradict

Opposites: agree

Common phrases: conflict with something, plans conflict, interests conflict

To happen at the same time as another event, making it difficult to attend both.

• Our meetings conflict.
• The concert conflicts with my evening class.
• Her appointment conflicted with an important interview.

How to use it: conflict with something (My appointment conflicts with the staff meeting.)

Similar words: clash, overlap

Common phrases: meetings conflict, conflict with something, schedules conflict