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conflict

conflict

514 2.7
A violent fight between armed groups in a war
  • noun
  • /ˈkɒnflɪkt/
translation icon : conflicto armado
  • The military described the ongoing conflict as one of the most serious crises of the decade.
  • armed conflict
  • conflict zone
  • international conflict

What we don't want is a conflict among the strongest powers.

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Examples

  • The communities of Jerusalem have been in conflict ever since the city was founded.

    Academic text (2008)
  • The men are being trained for the possibility of an armed conflict.

  • But in the limit that becomes all out conflict and war.

  • The medals he wore from that conflict were hard earned.

  • This invasion kick started a six decade long conflict called the Italian Wars.

  • We can do little about wars and armed conflicts except pray for peace.

    Academic text (2013)
  • The war in Bosnia was the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War ll.

  • That same year, however, the nation quickly discovered itself embroiled in conflicts with Great Britain which led to the War of 1812.

  • The civil war resulted in a long and devastating conflict that affected millions of lives.

  • The international community was alarmed by the reports of a new conflict erupting in the region.

Synonyms

war
vsconflict
1.0

A period when countries or groups fight with weapons and violence

is narrower, naming individual serious fights rather than a prolonged state of armed struggle
fight
vsconflict
1.0

A physical struggle between people or groups, like a boxing match

is more specific to serious armed struggles between organized military forces
battle
vsconflict
1.4

A violent fight between armed groups in a war

is broader, covering serious armed struggles generally rather than one engagement
combat
vsconflict
854 3.5

A fight between soldiers or armed groups in a war

is more general, covering serious armed struggles beyond direct fighting
action
vsconflict
415 6.9

Fighting between soldiers in a war

is the general idea of serious armed struggle rather than the act of taking part
civil war
vsconflict
285 3.2

A war between groups in the same country

is more general, covering any serious armed struggle not restricted to internal wars
military action
vsconflict
105 3.7

An action by soldiers that involves fighting

is broader, including any serious armed struggle not only planned operations
clash
vsconflict
105 3.2

A short conflict between people or groups

is limited to violent armed struggles rather than arguments or minor fights
engagement
vsconflict
  • Specialized
61 7.1

A fight between armed groups during a war

is wider, applying to any serious armed struggle not only specific fights
firefight
vsconflict
56 6.5

A short battle where armed people shoot at each other

is broader, covering serious armed struggles beyond brief gun exchanges
gunfight
vsconflict
35 3.2

A short fight where people shoot at each other with guns

is more general, including prolonged or varied forms of armed struggle
dogfight
vsconflict
11 7.0

A close, fierce fight between fighter planes or in a contest

covers serious armed struggles on land, sea, air, or overall war contexts
hot war
vsconflict
3 6.1

A fight between countries or groups with real battles

is a single serious armed struggle rather than the wider prolonged war state
armed combat
vsconflict
1 4.9

A fight between soldiers or military groups using weapons

covers serious armed struggles that may include nonweapon forms too
hostilities
vsconflict
  • Formal
1 7.4

Fighting between two countries or groups during a war

is the general term for serious armed struggles rather than the acts themselves
paramilitary conflict
vsconflict
  • Literature
8.3

A violent fight between armed groups that are not part of the official army

is the official term for serious armed struggles, including state forces

Antonyms

646 1.0

A time when countries or groups do not fight

114 5.3

A return to friendly relations after a disagreement

Compounds

83 1.9

A situation when someone has two interests that could affect their decisions

A time when two planned events happen at the same time so you cannot attend both

conflict zone
  • Literature
4 4.3

An area where soldiers or armed groups are fighting

A civil war in southeastern Nigeria from 1967 to 1970 when Biafra tried to break away and become independent

Donbas conflict
  • Literature
8.1

An armed conflict in eastern Ukraine since 2014 between Ukrainian forces and fighters backed by Russia

8.3

A violent fight between armed groups that are not part of the official army

4.2

A field of study that looks at why people fight and how to make peace

How Serious

war
1.0
conflict
514 2.7
battle
1.4
clash
105 3.2
skirmish
22 6.4

Surface Forms

conflict singular
conflicts plural

Morphology

conflict = con + flict

Although historically analyzable as con- + -flict, 'flict' is not a standalone English word, so the meaning ('fight or battle') is not derivable by an average B1 learner from the parts.

Etymology

Conflict comes from the Latin confligere (from con- 'together' and fligere 'to strike'), which gives the strong image of forces hitting each other. That's why conflict can mean a serious fight or battle between armed groups.