conflict
When two things are conflicting, they do not agree and cannot both be true or happen at the same time.
Explanation at your level:
When you have two things that do not fit, they are conflicting. If you have two plans at the same time, you have a conflicting schedule. It means you must choose one.
Use conflicting when two facts are different. If one person says 'yes' and another says 'no,' that is conflicting information. It is hard to know what is true.
The word conflicting describes a situation where things cannot exist together. We often use it for schedules, like 'I have conflicting appointments.' It is also used for feelings, like having conflicting emotions about a new job.
In professional or academic contexts, conflicting is used to describe evidence or data. If researchers find conflicting results, it means the experiments did not show the same thing. It implies a need for further investigation to resolve the discrepancy.
Conflicting often implies a deeper, more complex friction. In literature or psychology, it describes the internal struggle of a character, such as conflicting loyalties. It suggests that the opposition is not just a mistake, but a fundamental incompatibility of values or goals.
At the highest level, conflicting touches on the philosophical concept of dialectics. It describes the inherent tension in systems, whether in legal testimonies, historical accounts, or ethical frameworks. It acknowledges that reality is rarely singular and often comprises conflicting narratives that require synthesis or arbitration.
30초 단어
- Conflicting means clashing or incompatible.
- It is used for schedules, information, and ideas.
- It is an adjective, not a verb.
- Commonly paired with 'reports', 'schedules', and 'information'.
When we say something is conflicting, we mean it is clashing with something else. Imagine you have a plan to go to the movies, but your friend invites you to dinner at the exact same time. Your plans are now conflicting because you cannot be in two places at once.
This word is very useful in daily life. It helps us explain why things are difficult or why we are confused. If you read two news reports that tell different versions of a story, you are looking at conflicting information. It is a powerful word that highlights the tension between two opposing forces.
The word conflicting comes from the Latin word conflictus, which is the past participle of confligere. This Latin root literally means 'to strike together' or 'to collide.' It combines con- (together) and fligere (to strike).
Over centuries, the word moved through Old French before entering Middle English. Originally, it was used to describe physical battles or strikes. As the language evolved, the meaning expanded from physical fighting to abstract ideas, such as conflicting opinions or conflicting schedules. It is fascinating how a word that once meant a literal collision now helps us describe a simple disagreement between two calendars!
You will most often hear conflicting used before nouns. Common pairings include conflicting reports, conflicting interests, and conflicting emotions. It is a neutral word, meaning it works just as well in a casual chat as it does in a serious business meeting.
When you use it, you are usually pointing out a problem that needs a solution. For example, 'We have conflicting schedules' is a polite way to say you cannot make a meeting. It is slightly more formal than saying 'our times don't match,' making it perfect for emails or professional settings.
While conflicting itself is a direct adjective, it is often associated with idioms about disagreement:
- At odds: To be in a state of disagreement. Example: 'Their stories are at odds with each other.'
- Cross purposes: Working toward different goals without realizing it. Example: 'We were working at cross purposes.'
- Oil and water: Two things that cannot mix. Example: 'Their personalities are like oil and water.'
- A house divided: A group that is split by internal conflict. Example: 'The team was a house divided.'
- Clash of titans: A major conflict between two powerful forces. Example: 'The debate was a clash of titans.'
Conflicting is the present participle of the verb 'conflict' used as an adjective. It is almost always used as a modifier before a noun. In British and American English, the stress is on the second syllable: kən-FLIK-ting.
It rhymes with words like restricting, predicting, and inflicting. Because it is an adjective, you can use it with 'very' or 'highly' to emphasize the degree of the disagreement, such as 'highly conflicting data.'
Fun Fact
The word originally referred to physical combat before it was used for ideas.
Pronunciation Guide
Stress on the second syllable.
Clear 't' sound in the middle.
Common Errors
- Misplacing stress on the first syllable
- Dropping the 'g' at the end
- Mispronouncing the 'i' sound
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to understand in context.
Commonly used in professional writing.
Used in daily conversation.
Easy to hear.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
고급
Grammar to Know
Present Participle as Adjective
The conflicting reports.
Subject-Verb Agreement
The reports are conflicting.
Adjective Position
Conflicting plans.
Examples by Level
I have conflicting plans.
I have two plans at one time.
Adjective + noun
The reports are conflicting.
The reports do not match.
Subject + verb + adjective
It is a conflicting time.
The time is not good.
Adjective modifying noun
We have conflicting ideas.
Our ideas are different.
Adjective + noun
The news is conflicting.
The news is not the same.
Adjective as predicate
Are the dates conflicting?
Do the dates clash?
Question form
They have conflicting goals.
Their goals are opposite.
Adjective + noun
My schedule is conflicting.
My time is busy.
Adjective describing schedule
The witness gave conflicting statements.
We have conflicting information about the flight.
His conflicting emotions made him sad.
I cannot go due to conflicting plans.
The two studies show conflicting results.
She received conflicting advice from her friends.
The conflicting colors look strange together.
Are you having conflicting thoughts?
The conflicting reports caused a lot of confusion.
We must resolve these conflicting interests before we sign.
It is difficult to choose when you have conflicting priorities.
The conflicting data makes it hard to draw a conclusion.
He felt conflicting loyalties to his family and his job.
There are conflicting views on how to solve this problem.
My schedule is conflicting with the workshop times.
The conflicting rumors are spreading quickly.
The judge noted the conflicting testimonies from the witnesses.
There is a conflicting narrative about the company's history.
We are dealing with conflicting requirements for the project.
The conflicting evidence led to a mistrial.
She experienced conflicting feelings about moving abroad.
The conflicting demands of the job left him exhausted.
We need to address the conflicting policies immediately.
His conflicting actions revealed his true intentions.
The author explores the conflicting desires of the protagonist.
There is a conflicting interpretation of the historical document.
The conflicting pressures of the market forced a change.
He faced a series of conflicting moral obligations.
The conflicting ideologies of the two parties are clear.
We must reconcile these conflicting perspectives.
The conflicting signals from the central bank unsettled investors.
Her conflicting ambitions were finally brought to light.
The conflicting ontological claims were debated for hours.
The text is rife with conflicting metaphors.
We must navigate the conflicting currents of public opinion.
The conflicting imperatives of security and privacy are difficult to balance.
His work is defined by the conflicting impulses of romanticism and realism.
The conflicting testimonies present a hermeneutic challenge.
There is a conflicting interplay between tradition and modernity.
The conflicting evidence underscores the ambiguity of the situation.
동의어
반의어
자주 쓰는 조합
Idioms & Expressions
"at odds"
in disagreement
The two sides are at odds.
neutral"at cross purposes"
misunderstanding each other's goals
We were working at cross purposes.
formal"oil and water"
things that do not mix
They are like oil and water.
casual"a house divided"
a group split by internal conflict
The committee was a house divided.
formal"clash of titans"
a major disagreement between powerful people
The meeting was a clash of titans.
casual"poles apart"
completely different
Their opinions are poles apart.
neutralEasily Confused
Same root word
Conflicted describes feelings; conflicting describes situations
I am conflicted; the schedules are conflicting.
Similar meaning
Contradictory is stronger, implying a direct negation
The facts were contradictory.
Similar meaning
Incompatible means they cannot work together at all
Our personalities are incompatible.
Similar meaning
Opposing suggests two sides facing each other
They have opposing views.
Sentence Patterns
The [noun] is conflicting.
The information is conflicting.
I have conflicting [noun].
I have conflicting plans.
These [noun] are conflicting with [noun].
These reports are conflicting with the data.
We are facing conflicting [noun].
We are facing conflicting demands.
Despite the conflicting [noun], we decided to...
Despite the conflicting evidence, we decided to proceed.
어휘 가족
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
관련
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
자주 하는 실수
People often forget the preposition 'with' when describing what the subject clashes against.
Use 'conflicting' for the cause, 'conflicted' for the person feeling the emotion.
Do not add 'of' after the adjective.
Adverb form is rare; use 'in a conflicting manner' instead.
Schedules are things that cause conflict, so they are 'conflicting'.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine two clocks on a wall showing different times—they are 'conflicting'.
When Native Speakers Use It
We use it constantly when explaining why we can't attend an event.
Cultural Insight
In business, it is a polite way to decline an invitation.
Grammar Shortcut
Always look for the noun it modifies.
Say It Right
Ensure the 't' in the middle is crisp.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't say 'I am conflicting about this'—use 'I am conflicted'.
Did You Know?
The root word meant 'to strike' in Latin.
Study Smart
Keep a list of 'conflicting' things you encounter daily.
Register Check
It works in both casual and formal emails.
Adjective vs Verb
Remember: 'The plans conflict' (verb) vs 'The plans are conflicting' (adjective).
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Con (together) + Flict (strike) = Striking together.
Visual Association
Two cars hitting each other at an intersection.
Word Web
챌린지
Write down three things that are conflicting in your life right now.
어원
Latin
Original meaning: to strike together
문화적 맥락
None, it is a standard descriptive word.
Used frequently in professional environments to describe scheduling issues.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
at work
- conflicting schedules
- conflicting priorities
- conflicting demands
news/research
- conflicting reports
- conflicting data
- conflicting evidence
daily life
- conflicting plans
- conflicting advice
- conflicting thoughts
relationships
- conflicting emotions
- conflicting loyalties
- conflicting values
Conversation Starters
"Have you ever had conflicting plans for a weekend?"
"How do you handle conflicting advice from friends?"
"What do you do when you hear conflicting news reports?"
"Have you ever felt conflicting emotions about a big decision?"
"Why do you think people often have conflicting interests?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time you had to deal with conflicting schedules.
Write about a moment you felt internally conflicted.
How do you resolve conflicting information when researching a topic?
Reflect on a time you and a friend had conflicting opinions.
자주 묻는 질문
8 질문No. 'Conflicting' describes the situation (e.g., conflicting plans). 'Conflicted' describes a person's feelings (e.g., I feel conflicted).
Usually no. You would say 'people with conflicting views' rather than 'conflicting people'.
It is neutral and used in all settings.
Usually 'with'.
Yes, it is common to emphasize the degree of conflict.
It can, but it usually means disagreement or incompatibility.
No, it is an adjective derived from the verb 'conflict'.
kən-FLIK-ting.
셀프 테스트
I have ___ plans for tonight.
Conflicting describes two plans that clash.
Which means the same as conflicting?
Opposing things are in conflict.
Conflicting information means the information is the same.
Conflicting means it is different or contradictory.
Word
뜻
Matching the phrase to its meaning.
The reports are conflicting.
The two studies showed ___ results.
Studies often show conflicting data.
Can a person be 'conflicting'?
A person is usually 'conflicted'; the situation is 'conflicting'.
What does 'conflicting interests' imply?
Interests that clash are conflicting.
Word
뜻
Advanced contextual matching.
These narratives are conflicting.
점수: /10
Summary
Conflicting describes two things that cannot exist or happen together without causing a problem.
- Conflicting means clashing or incompatible.
- It is used for schedules, information, and ideas.
- It is an adjective, not a verb.
- Commonly paired with 'reports', 'schedules', and 'information'.
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine two clocks on a wall showing different times—they are 'conflicting'.
When Native Speakers Use It
We use it constantly when explaining why we can't attend an event.
Cultural Insight
In business, it is a polite way to decline an invitation.
Grammar Shortcut
Always look for the noun it modifies.
예시
We couldn't attend the party because we had conflicting schedules that evening.
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맥락에서 배우기
관련 표현
Social 관련 단어
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abjudtude
C1The state or quality of being formally rejected, cast off, or disowned through an authoritative or judicial decision. It refers to a condition of absolute renunciation where a person or entity is stripped of their previous status or rights.
abphobship
C1A formal adjective describing a systemic and deep-seated aversion to institutional hierarchies or organized authority figures. It is frequently applied in sociological and organizational contexts to describe individuals or movements that intentionally distance themselves from formal power structures.
abstinence
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abtactship
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abtrudship
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abvictious
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abvolism
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acceptance
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