conflict

conflict con‧flict [ˈkɒnflɪkt ǁ ˈkɑːn-] noun [countable, uncountable]

1. a state of disagreement between people, groups, countries etc:

• The General Strike was the most important industrial conflict of British inter-war history.

conflict between

• They are both strong-willed managers, and associates have noted signs of conflict between them.

2. a situation in which you have to choose between two or more different needs:

conflict between

• the conflict between housing the poor and minimizing taxpayer costs

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Ⅰ.

conflict UK US /ˈkɒnflɪkt/ noun [C or U]

► a serious disagreement between people, organizations, or countries with opposing opinions: conflict (with sb) (over sth) »

In that year conflict with the government over pay settlements led to an unprecedented civil service strike.

come into conflict (with sb) »

It is only to be expected that members of your team will come into conflict with each other at some point.

»

It was a controversial decision and caused a number of conflicts within the workforce.

»

Managers will need to ensure that strategies for conflict resolution (= finding a solution to a disagreement) are in place.

► a situation in which there are opposing demands or ideas and a choice has to be made between them: conflict between sth and sth »

The situation becomes more difficult when there is a conflict between the needs of internal and external stakeholders.

come into conflict (with sth) »

If we go ahead with this, we may come into conflict with health and safety regulations.

→ See also CONFLICT OF INTEREST(Cf. ↑conflict of interest), INDUSTRIAL CONFLICT(Cf. ↑industrial conflict)

Ⅱ.

conflict UK US /kənˈflɪkt/ verb [I]

► if beliefs, needs, facts, etc. conflict, they are very different and cannot easily exist together or both be true: conflict (with sth) »

Consideration of ethical and environmental impacts can sometimes conflict with economic goals.