conflict
noun
- a strong form of disagreement
verb
- disagree with
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈkɒn.flɪkt/ / /ˈkɑn.flɪkt/ / /kənˈflɪkt/
noun
Etymology: From Latin cōnflīctus, from com- + flīctus, past participle of conflīgō (“to strike together”), from com- + flīgō (“strike”) (whence con-).
- A clash or disagreement, often violent, between two or more opposing groups or individuals.
“The conflict between the government and the rebels began three years ago.”
“One particularly damaging, but often ignored, effect of conflict on education is the proliferation of attacks on schools[…]as children, teachers or school buildings become the targets of attacks. Parents fear sending their children to school. Girls are particularly vulnerable to sexual violence.”
- An incompatibility, as of two things that cannot be simultaneously fulfilled.
“I wanted to attend the meeting but there's a conflict in my schedule that day.”
- in fiction/literature, opposing forces that create uncertainty as to whether the character(s) will achieve their goal(s).
verb
Etymology: From Latin cōnflīctus, from com- + flīctus, past participle of conflīgō (“to strike together”), from com- + flīgō (“strike”) (whence con-).
- To be at odds (with); to disagree or be incompatible
“[T. E.] Lawrence said that in the end he felt himself to be fighting not for the imperial British but for the rebellious Arabs. All too often he conflicted with British bureaucratic fustiness.”
- To overlap (with), as in a schedule.
“Your conference call conflicts with my older one: please reschedule.”
“It appears that our schedules conflict.”