CONFLICTED Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

conflicted 1 of 2

adjective

kən-ˈflik-təd

Definition of conflicted

as in unsure

having a mixture of opposing feelings I'm conflicted about the prospect of our only child going away to college

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

conflicted

2 of 2

verb

past tense of conflict

as in clashed

to be out of harmony or agreement usually noticeably his statement conflicts with the facts, as given in the police report

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of conflicted

Adjective

Rahimi plays him as a mostly sincere but deeply conflicted man, and most importantly a desperate one, capable of some rather unexpected deceptions. — Kambole Campbell, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026 Such conflicted messaging is undermining the alliance’s ability to deter Russia. — Julianne Smith, Foreign Affairs, 7 Oct. 2026

Verb

Latif is conflicted by his double life, bewildered by his doubling of parental responsibilities, constantly trying to think two moves ahead yet always ending up three steps behind. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2026 Newsom, though, said her bill went too far and conflicted with his administration’s goals. — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 19 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for conflicted

Recent Examples of Synonyms for conflicted

Adjective

The Salt Lake County clerk requests assistance to secure the polls, but the sheriff, unsure about jurisdiction, declines.

— Barton Gellman, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2026
The equipment truck had left spring training in Tempe, Arizona, and was in Salt Lake City, unsure where to go, when Selig called traveling secretary Tommy Ferguson, who had held the same job with the Braves.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of unsure

Verb

At least 2,400 people were arrested after rioters in cities across France on Saturday clashed with police, set cars on fire and stormed public buildings during nationwide protests against rising living costs and poor conditions in schools.

— Tom Nouvian, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
At least 1,800 people were arrested this past weekend after violent groups clashed with law enforcement during nationwide protests over rising living costs and poor school conditions.

— Mike Darnay, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of clashed

Adjective

But while trust in the Democrats on specific issues has increased, AAPI adults are ambivalent about the party as a whole.

— Terry Tang, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
When film and television try to capture the messy morality of these would-be titans, the results are predictably ambivalent.

— Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of ambivalent

Verb

The plane collided with power lines on the south side of the roadway, leaving fragments of the propeller and fiberglass under the power lines.

— Maven Navarro, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Oct. 2026
The driver who collided with the riders fled, but police, with the assistance of witnesses, were able to track down a suspect at his home near the scene of the collision, Montclair police said.

— James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of collided

Adjective

Once again, Slow Horses isn’t afraid to acknowledge its heroes are in a terrible situation and will pay the price for it.

— Scott Tobias, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026
Fond of travel but afraid to fly, Pan would take longish vacations in the Mediterranean, the Middle East, or Mexico, sometimes accompanied by his nieces.

— David Hajdu, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of afraid

Adjective

Producers could use advanced technology to increase the recovery rate, but that requires major investments, which companies are hesitant to make in a country led by a government with a history of breaking contracts and current instability.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
Former Hartford Association of Teachers President Carol Gale was not so hesitant.

— Theo Peck-Suzuki, Hartford Courant, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of hesitant

Adjective

Those assumptions can be quite uncertain when designing an entirely new study.

— Mark Louie F. Ramos, STAT, 21 Oct. 2026
Specialists recommend seeking a second opinion from a neurologist who specializes in MS when a diagnosis is uncertain, particularly before starting medications that affect the immune system.

— Jasmine Arenas, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of uncertain

Browse Nearby Words

conflict

conflicted

conflicting

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Style

“Conflicted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conflicted. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of conflicted

adjective

verb

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