an open clash between two opposing groups (or individuals); the harder the conflict the more glorious the triumph--Thomas Paine; police tried to control the battle between the pro- and anti-abortion mobs

[ Syn: struggle , battle ]

opposition between two simultaneous but incompatible feelings; he was immobilized by conflict and indecision'

a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war; Grant won a decisive victory in the battle of Chickamauga; he lost his romantic ideas about war when he got into a real engagement

[ Syn: battle , fight , engagement ]

a state of opposition between persons or ideas or interests; his conflict of interest made him ineligible for the post; a conflict of loyalties'

an incompatibility of dates or events; he noticed a conflict in the dates of the two meetings'

opposition in a work of drama or fiction between characters or forces (especially an opposition that motivates the development of the plot); this form of conflict is essential to Mann's writing'

a disagreement or argument about something important; he had a dispute with his wife; there were irreconcilable differences; the familiar conflict between Republicans and Democrats

[ Syn: dispute , difference , difference of opinion ]

be in conflict; The two proposals conflict!'

go against, as of rules and laws; He ran afoul of the law; This behavior conflicts with our rules

[ Syn: run afoul , infringe , contravene ]