Words / B2

KONFL-ikt/ˈkɒnflɪkt/

Conflict is a serious disagreement or clash — between people, ideas, or countries: conflict between A and B, in conflict with, or a conflict of interest. The verb conflict (stress on the second syllable) means “be incompatible”: the two accounts conflict. Argument is smaller and more personal; war is the extreme.

Meaning

A serious disagreement or fight.

Examples

• “There was a conflict between the two teams.”
• “The two studies are in conflict on this point.”
• “A conflict of interest meant she could not vote.”

Good to know

Noun stress: CON-flict. Verb: con-FLICT. in conflict with; conflict of interest.

Near in meaning

clash

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