Conflict (Word of the Day, 2009/9/2)

By Jessie Tseng

conflict (verb) /kən'flɪkt/ (used without object)

conflict(s) – conflicted – conflicted

► to come into disagreement; be contradictory, at variance, or in opposition

-- The account of one eyewitness conflicted ith that of the other.

-- My class conflicts with my going to the concert.

► to fight or contend; do battle

-- Companies often conflicts over the interests.

conflict (noun) /'kɑnflɪkt/

► a fight, battle, or struggle, esp. a prolonged struggle.

-- the Arab-Israeli conflict

► controversy; quarrel

-- conflicts between parties

► discord of action, feeling, or effect; antagonism or opposition, as of interests or principles: a conflict of ideas.

-- She found herself in conflict with her parents over her future career.

-- John often comes into conflict with his boss.

► incompatibility or interference, as of one idea, desire, event, or activity with another

-- a conflict in the schedule.

► [Psychiatry] a mental struggle arising from opposing demands or impulses.

-- There is a conflict between two sides of his personality.

-- Her diary was a record of her inner conflicts

Related forms

confliction (noun)

conflicted (adj)

►unable to decide what your feelings or opinions are about something.

-- I am ___________ to make the right decision.

conflicting(adj)

►similar with contradictory

-- It’s a ___________ findings with earlier results.

Phrases

conflict of interest(s)

► a situation in which someone cannot make a fair decision because they will be affected by the results.

► a situation in which something that is good for one person, but is bad for another person

-- In the conflict of interests, we often could see the cruel side of human nature.

conflict diamond

► It’s similar with blood diamond. Some countries in Africa in battles situation(belligerent交戰國),they will sell the diamond they exploit in their land in the national markets for raising the fighting funds.

Comparison

conflict vs. battle vs. fight

conflict

► "Conflict" usually happened when there are more than one individual who have different opinions, and they all disagree with other people's thoughts it can be used between two persons, groups or countries. The usage range is widest of three.

-- This is an irreconcilable conflict.

-- Armed conflict is likely to break out between the two countries.

battle

► The main differences is often used to describe a situation that using real swords, guns, or other weapons.

-- The ringleader (元兇）was shot to death in a gun battle.

-- His younger brother died in battle during World War II.

fight

► It’s usually used in person-person body or opinions argument. The usage is narrowest and not formal.

-- Who won the fight?

-- Their fights were always over money.

-- He has plenty of fight (戰鬥力) in him.

role conflict vs. role strain

► Role conflict is a special form of social conflict that takes place when one is forced to take on two different and incompatible roles at the same time. Consider the example of a doctor who is himself a patient, or who must decide whether he should be present for his daughter's birthday party (in his role as "father") or attend an ailing patient (as "doctor"). (Also compare the psychological concept of cognitive dissonance.)

► Role strain characterises a situation where fulfilling a certain role has a conflict with fulfilling another role. For example, you found your teacher made a mistake and should you report that? If you did, you might disgrace him and if you didn't, you might not fulfill your role as student. While role conflict takes place across different role sets, role strain happens within the same role set.