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English noun: conflict

1. conflict (act) an open clash between two opposing groups (or individuals)


SamplesThe harder the conflict the more glorious the triumph.
Police tried to control the battle between the pro- and anti-abortion mobs.


Synonymsbattle, struggle


Broader (hypernym)group action


Narrower (hyponym)class struggle, class war, class warfare, combat, counterinsurgency, feud, fight, fighting, insurrection, pacification, rebellion, revolt, rising, scrap, strife, tug-of-war, turf war, uprising, war, warfare

2. conflict (feeling) opposition between two simultaneous but incompatible feelings


SamplesHe was immobilized by conflict and indecision.


Broader (hypernym)ambivalence, ambivalency

3. conflict (act) a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war


SamplesGrant won a decisive victory in the battle of Chickamauga.
He lost his romantic ideas about war when he got into a real engagement.


Synonymsbattle, engagement, fight


Broader (hypernym)action, military action


Narrower (hyponym)Armageddon, armed combat, assault, combat, dogfight, naval battle, pitched battle


Instance hyponymBattle of Britain, Drogheda


Part meronymwar, warfare


Domain categoryarmed forces, armed services, military, military machine, war machine

4. conflict (state) a state of opposition between persons or ideas or interests


SamplesHis conflict of interest made him ineligible for the post.
A conflict of loyalties.


Broader (hypernym)state


Narrower (hyponym)clash, clash, disagreement, dissension, dissonance, friction

5. conflict (attribute) an incompatibility of dates or events


SamplesHe noticed a conflict in the dates of the two meetings.


Broader (hypernym)incompatibility

6. conflict opposition in a work of drama or fiction between characters or forces (especially an opposition that motivates the development of the plot)


SamplesThis form of conflict is essential to Mann's writing.


Broader (hypernym)oppositeness, opposition

7. conflict (communication) a disagreement or argument about something important


SamplesHe had a dispute with his wife.
There were irreconcilable differences.
The familiar conflict between Republicans and Democrats.


Synonymsdifference, difference of opinion, dispute


Broader (hypernym)disagreement


Narrower (hyponym)arguing, argument, collision, contention, contestation, controversy, disceptation, disputation, dustup, gap, quarrel, row, run-in, tilt, words, wrangle


English verb: conflict

1. conflict (stative) be in conflict


SamplesThe two proposals conflict!.


Pattern of useSomething ----s.
Something is ----ing PP


Broader (hypernym)contrast, counterpoint


Narrower (hyponym)clash, collide, jar

2. conflict (social) go against, as of rules and laws


SamplesHe ran afoul of the law.
This behavior conflicts with our rules.


Synonymscontravene, infringe, run afoul


Pattern of useSomebody ----s PP


Broader (hypernym)breach, break, go against, infract, offend, transgress, violate









Based on WordNet 3.0 copyright © Princeton University.
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