- 1 a situation in which people, groups or countries are involved in a serious disagreement or argument a conflict between two cultures The violence was the result of political and ethnic conflicts. She found herself in conflict with her parents over her future career. John often comes into conflict with his boss. The government has done nothing to resolve the conflict over nurses' pay. Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivegreat, major, bitter, … verb + conflictbring somebody/something into, cause, come into, … conflict + verbarise (from something), occur, erupt, … prepositionduring a/the conflict, in a/the conflict, in conflict, … phrasesan area of conflict, a source of conflict, in direct conflict with somebody, … See full entry
- 2 a violent situation or period of fighting between two countries armed/military conflict A conflict between the two countries could easily spread across the whole region. CollocationsWar and peaceStarting a war declare/make/wage war (on somebody/something) go to war (against/with somebody) cause/spark/provoke/foment/quell unrest incite/lead/crush/suppress a revolt/rebellion launch/mount/carry out a surprise/terrorist attack prevent/halt/represent an escalation of the conflict be torn apart by/be on the brink of civil war enter/invade/occupy somebody’s territory lead/launch/resist/repel an invasionMilitary operations adopt/develop/implement/pursue a military strategy carry out/execute/perform military operations/manoeuvres/(especially US English) maneuvers send/deploy/station/pull back/withdraw troops go on/fly/carry out a reconnaissance/rescue mission train/equip/deploy army/military/combat units lead/launch/conduct a raid/a surprise attack/an (air/airborne/amphibious) assault (on somebody) employ/use guerrilla tactics conduct/wage biological/guerrilla warfare fight/crush/defeat the rebels/the insurgency suffer/inflict a crushing defeat achieve/win a decisive victory halt/stop the British/German/Russian advance order/force a retreatFighting join/serve in the army/navy/air force be/go/remain/serve on active duty serve/complete/return from a tour of duty be sent to the front (line) attack/strike/engage/defeat/kill/destroy the enemy see/report/be engaged in heavy fighting call for/be met with armed resistance come under heavy/machine-gun/mortar fire fire a machine-gun/mortar shells/rockets (at somebody/something) shoot a rifle/a pistol/bullets/missiles launch/fire a cruise/ballistic/anti-tank missile use biological/chemical/nuclear weapons inflict/suffer/sustain heavy losses/casualties be hit/killed by enemy/friendly/artillery fire become/be held as a prisoner of warCivilians in war harm/kill/target/protect innocent/unarmed civilians cause/avoid/limit/minimize civilian casualties/collateral damage impose/enforce/lift a curfew engage in/be a victim of ethnic cleansing be sent to an internment/a concentration camp accept/house/resettle refugees fleeing from war fear/threaten military/violent reprisals commit/be accused of war crimes/crimes against humanity/genocideMaking peace make/bring/win/achieve/maintain/promote peace call for/negotiate/broker/declare a ceasefire/a temporary truce sign a ceasefire agreement call for/bring/put an end to hostilities demand/negotiate/accept the surrender of somebody/something establish/send (in) a peacekeeping force negotiate/conclude/ratify/sign/accept/reject/break/violate a peace treaty Wordfinderconflictaggression, arms, army, attack, casualty, conflict, defend, hostile, territory, war Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivegreat, major, bitter, … verb + conflictbring somebody/something into, cause, come into, … conflict + verbarise (from something), occur, erupt, … prepositionduring a/the conflict, in a/the conflict, in conflict, … phrasesan area of conflict, a source of conflict, in direct conflict with somebody, … See full entry See related entries: International relations, Conflict
- 3 a situation in which there are opposing ideas, opinions, feelings or wishes; a situation in which it is difficult to choose The story tells of a classic conflict between love and duty. Her diary was a record of her inner conflict. Many of these ideas appear to be in conflict with each other. Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivefundamental, irreconcilable, serious, … conflict + nounsituation, management, resolution, … prepositionin conflict with, conflict between, conflict of, … phrasesa conflict of interest, a conflict of interests, a conflict of loyalties, … See full entry Word Originlate Middle English: from Latin conflict- ‘struck together, fought’, from the verb confligere, from con- ‘together’ + fligere ‘to strike’; the noun is via Latin conflictus ‘a contest’.Extra examples His work brought him into conflict with more conventional scientists. Our ability to mobilize large numbers of trained men in time of emergency could forestall future conflict, The UN are hoping to resolve the conflict quickly. The conflict arose from different ambitions within the team. The decision led to a bitter conflict between the management and unions. There is more to a successful relationship than simply managing conflict. They found themselves in conflict over the future of the company. They hid their feelings to avoid conflict. Thousands have been arrested in violent ethnic conflicts in the region. a conflict over ownership of the land a serious conflict of opinion conflicts between different ethnic groups in conflict with management in direct conflict with his wishes serious conflicts within the ruling party the conflict between science and religion the inherent conflict between the demands of farmers and wishes of environmentalists the inherent conflict between what farmers and environmentalists want the key to successful conflict management to end the conflict with France Conflict between the two groups has left more than 8 000 dead. Peace talks have failed to end the 6-year-old conflict. The government has done nothing to resolve the conflict over nurses’ pay. There is often a conflict of interests between farmers and conservationists.Idioms
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BrE BrE//ˈkɒnflɪkt//; NAmE NAmE//ˈkɑːnflɪkt//
[countable, uncountable] conflict (between A and B) | conflict (over something) International relations, Conflicta situation in which somebody has two jobs, aims, roles, etc. and cannot treat both of them equally and fairly at the same time There was a conflict of interest between his business dealings and his political activities.
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