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conflict zone

conflict zone

4 4.3
An area where soldiers or armed groups are fighting
  • noun
  • /ˈkɒnflɪkt zoʊn/
  • Literature
translation icon : zona de conflicto
  • When walking the streets and into the homes of those living in conflict zones, you are not viewed as individuals, but as one community.
  • diamonds procured from conflict zone
  • fragile conflict zone states

Examples

  • But they're important, especially if you are working in a conflict zone.

    Blog text (9)
  • Doing research in African conflict zones is difficult, he acknowledges.

    Blog text (29)
  • Warning, this is a designated conflict zone.

  • "But they tend to give those out to the children in the conflict zone to win the hearts and minds."

    Blog text (32)
  • Russian fighter planes and tanks are moving towards the conflict zone.

  • American civilians have long operated in conflict zones and fragile states.

    Academic text (2010)
  • The international climate in support of children's rights is, in large part, a response to disturbing events occurring in conflict zones around the world.

    Academic text (2001)
  • To a large extent, several of the African countries covered in this paper fall within the category of the so-called conflict zone, or combat areas of Africa.

    Academic text (2004)
  • The American people must understand that spending taxpayer dollars on diplomacy and development is in their interest, especially when those investments support missions in conflict zones, fragile states, and states that can play a responsible role in their regions and in the world.

    Academic text (2010)
  • The government should live up to its commitment to not use heavy weapons in the conflict zone.

Synonyms

theater
vsconflict zone
  • Specialized
60 7.7

A large area where soldiers fight during a war

is used for large-scale regions rather than small, local fighting areas
war zone
vsconflict zone
47 3.8

An area where soldiers fight during a war

is similar but often used for larger regions or defined operations
combat zone
vsconflict zone
9 5.5

An area where soldiers are actively fighting during a war

is about any area with ongoing fighting rather than general military presence
kill zone
vsconflict zone
  • Jargon
9 8.4

An area where people are very likely to be killed during an attack

focuses on active fighting but not specifically on likelihood of deaths
theater of operations
vsconflict zone
  • Specialized
2 8.4

An area where fighting takes place during a war

is framed as ongoing fighting area rather than a single battle site
theater of war
vsconflict zone
  • Specialized
1 7.5

An area of land, sea, or air where military fighting happens

is about active fighting zones rather than specific local clashes
killing zone
vsconflict zone
  • NSFW
1 8.3

An area where many people die, often on a battlefield

emphasises high casualty risk rather than general presence of fighting
combat area
vsconflict zone
  • Specialized
1 6.1

An area where soldiers fight the enemy

focuses on ongoing fighting specifically, not broader support activities
field of operations
vsconflict zone
  • Specialized
1 7.2

An area where soldiers fight and do military work during a war

is about active fighting rather than general administrative or support areas

How Dangerous

war zone
28 4.8
conflict zone
  • Literature
4 4.3
battlefield
228 3.2
hotspot
  • Literature
4 5.1

Surface Forms

conflict zone singular

Morphology

conflict + zone

The meaning 'an area with ongoing armed fighting' is directly and transparently composed from 'conflict' (battle/hostilities) + 'zone' (a region), so a B1 learner who knows both words can infer the phrase. This noun+noun compounding for location is a common, cross-linguistic pattern and follows standard English composition, making the MWE immediately comprehensible.

Etymology

The noun conflict zone creates a simple image: conflict means fighting and zone means a marked place or area on a map, like a red patch people should avoid. So it means 'an area with active fighting'.