conflicts
conflicts — noun
- conflictssingular
- conflictsesplural
1. a strong difference of opinion or a serious argument between people or groups wh
a strong difference of opinion or a serious argument between people or groups who want different things
A bitter conflict broke out between the two families over the inherited farmland.
conflict between X and Y over Z
Christopher tried to settle the conflict between his quarreling coworkers before lunch.
The new parking rules sparked a noisy conflict among the apartment residents at every meeting.
There was open conflict in the council meeting after the budget cuts were announced.
- dispute
more formal, often official or legal
- disagreement
milder, no sense of fighting
- quarrel
smaller and more personal
文法句型
conflict between [parties]
conflict over [issue]
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 2: this sense is a disagreement or argument, while sense 2 is physical fighting or war.
常見錯誤
2. open fighting or war between countries, armies, or rival armed groups
open fighting or war between countries, armies, or rival armed groups
The armed conflict along the border forced thousands of villagers to flee their homes.
armed conflict along [a border]
Years of conflict between the two nations finally ended with a peace treaty.
Adaeze reported on the conflict from a ruined city near the front line.
Many soldiers were wounded during the long conflict in the northern hills.
文法句型
conflict between [groups/countries]
armed conflict
用法筆記
Often appears as 'armed conflict' and pairs with verbs like 'break out', 'escalate', and 'end'.
3. a situation where two ideas, needs, or duties cannot both be satisfied at the sa
a situation where two ideas, needs, or duties cannot both be satisfied at the same time
Tanvi feels a constant conflict between her night job and her morning classes.
conflict between X and Y
Élise felt a deep conflict between her dreams and her parents' wishes.
A conflict between speed and safety slowed the bridge project for months.
The witness statements were in direct conflict, so the jury grew confused.
- clash
sharper and more sudden
- incompatibility
formal and abstract
- tension
an ongoing strain rather than an open break
- harmony
things that fit smoothly together
- compatibility
able to exist together without trouble
文法句型
conflict between [A] and [B]
in conflict with
用法筆記
Subject is usually abstract — needs, values, or schedules; takes 'between' for two clashing things or 'with' for one clashing against another.
4. a situation where someone's private interests might stop them from judging or de
a situation where someone's private interests might stop them from judging or deciding fairly
The judge stepped aside because of a clear conflict of interest in the case.
conflict of interest (must step aside)
Michael refused the expensive gift to avoid any conflict of interest at work.
Owning shares in the company created a conflict of interest for the inspector.
A conflict of interest arises when a referee bets on a match they control.
- bias
the unfairness that results from it
- partiality
favouring one side over another
- impartiality
deciding without favouring anyone
- neutrality
taking no side at all
文法句型
a conflict of interest
conflict of interest for [somebody]
用法筆記
Almost always the fixed phrase 'a conflict of interest'; rarely used in the plural when describing a single biased decision.
5. the struggle between rival characters or forces that drives the plot of a story
the struggle between rival characters or forces that drives the plot of a story or play forward
The novel's central conflict pits a poor farmer against a greedy landlord.
central conflict pits X against Y
A gripping conflict between a detective and a clever thief carries the entire novel.
Naoko built the play's conflict around two sisters fighting over an old house.
The main conflict in the film is the hero's struggle against his own fear.
- tension
the emotional strain that builds in the plot
- struggle
the active effort against an opposing force
- opposition
the force set against the main character
文法句型
central conflict
internal/external conflict
用法筆記
A literary-studies term; usually 'internal conflict' (within one character) or 'external conflict' (against another person or force).
conflicts — verb
- conflictspresent simple I / you / we / they
- conflictses3rd person singular
- conflictsing-ing form
- conflictsedpast simple
1. (of beliefs, facts, or rules) to be so different from each other that they canno
(of beliefs, facts, or rules) to be so different from each other that they cannot both be true at once
Rania's travel plans conflict with the dates of the family wedding.
X conflicts with Y (plans/dates)
The new evidence conflicts with what the first witness told the police.
These safety rules conflict with the factory's old working habits.
What the manager promised conflicts sharply with the printed contract.
- clash
stronger and more sudden
- differ
milder; simply not the same
- contradict
one statement directly denies another
文法句型
conflict with [something]
用法筆記
Subject is usually a thing — plans, facts, or rules — rather than a person; always takes 'with' for the thing it clashes against.
常見錯誤
2. (of people or groups) to fight each other, or to argue strongly and openly
(of people or groups) to fight each other, or to argue strongly and openly
The two tribes had conflicted for generations before a chief finally made peace.
conflict for [a long period]
Henrik openly conflicted with his business partner over every major decision.
conflict openly with [somebody]
The striking workers and the owners conflicted bitterly throughout the cold winter.
Rival fans conflicted outside the stadium after the final whistle blew.
文法句型
conflict with [somebody]
conflict over [something]
用法筆記
Subject is people or groups acting against each other; more formal and less common than the 'be incompatible' sense above.