con·flict (k?n?fl?kt?)n.1. A state of open, often prolonged fighting; a battle or war.2. A state of disagreement or disharmony between persons or ideas; a clash: a conflict over water rights.3. Psychology An emotional or mental disturbance resulting from the opposition or simultaneous functioning of mutually exclusive impulses, desires, or tendencies.4. Opposition between characters or forces in a work of drama or fiction, especially when motivating or shaping the action of the plot.intr.v. (k?n-fl?kt?) con·flict·ed, con·flict·ing, con·flicts 1. To be in or come into opposition; differ.2. Archaic To engage in warfare.[Middle English, from Latin c?nfl?ctus, collision, from past participle of c?nfl?gere, to strike together : com-, com- + fl?gere, to strike.]con·flic?tion n.con·flic?tive adj.con·flic?tu·al (k?n-fl?k?cho?o-?l) adj.Synonyms: conflict, discord, strife, contention, dissension, clash These nouns refer to a state of disagreement and disharmony. Conflict has the broadest application: a conflict of interests; a conflict between the demands of work and family. Discord is a lack of harmony often marked by bickering and antipathy: The summit was marred by discord among the leaders. Strife usually implies an open struggle, often destructive, between rivals or factions: “Your eye is then drawn to the scene below, down to the valley below, where everywhere are the ravages of famine, the drumbeat of war, a world groaning under strife and deprivation” (Barack Obama). Contention suggests a dispute in the form of heated debate or quarreling: During the debate, we expect lively contention among the candidates. Dissension implies difference of opinion that disrupts unity within a group: “Dissension had been brewing between the North and South long before the first shots were fired on Fort Sumter” (Ted Yanak & Pam Cornelison). Clash involves irreconcilable ideas or interests: a clash between tradition and modernity; a clash of egos.American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.conflict n 1. a struggle or clash between opposing forces; battle 2. a state of opposition between ideas, interests, etc; disagreement or controversy 3. a clash, as between two appointments made for the same time 4. (Psychology) psychol opposition between two simultaneous but incompatible wishes or drives, sometimes leading to a state of emotional tension and thought to be responsible for neuroses vb (intr) 5. to come into opposition; clash6. to fight [C15: from Latin conflictus, from confl?gere to combat, from fl?gere to strike] con?fliction n con?flictive, con?flictory adjCollins English Dictionary ? Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014con?flict (v. k?n?fl?kt; n. ?k?n fl?kt) v.i. 1. to be contradictory, at variance, or in opposition; clash; disagree. 2. to fight or contend; do battle. n. 3. a fight, battle, or struggle, esp. a prolonged one; strife. 4. controversy; quarrel. 5. antagonism or opposition, as between interests or principles: a conflict of opinions. 6. discord of action, feeling, or effect. 7. incompatibility or interference, as of one idea, event, or activity with another: a conflict in the schedule. 8. a mental struggle arising from opposing demands or impulses. 9. a striking together; collision. [1375?1425; late Middle English