conflicting

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "conflicting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe when two or more ideas, facts, or beliefs are in opposition to each other. For example: "The conflicting reports made it difficult to determine what actually happened."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She took on the newly created job of representing moorland owners a year ago, convinced she could find a bridge between apparently conflicting interests.

The Guardian

That may be optimistic after the legal battle between the conflicting freedoms of a Northern Irish bakery and a gay couple.

The Guardian - Opinion

Israel has been sending out conflicting messages about claims that Hamas militants have captured one of its soldiers.

The Guardian

There was a confused picture on Monday over who might be behind the shopping-centre attack, with one of a variety of conflicting Twitter accounts claiming to represent al-Shabaab insisting that three of the attackers were US citizens.

The Guardian

Media: Leaks and half-truths Leaks, injunctions, half-truths and conflicting accounts characterised the media's coverage of the cash for honours affair.

The Guardian

That voter has a hotch-potch of sometimes conflicting political feelings about the world, which might be summed up in Matthew d'Ancona's phrase "individualism plus the NHS".

The Guardian - Opinion

This may be due to a phenomenon known by pollsters as Shy Tory factor: some people, when polled, will state a voting intention considered more socially acceptable to the poll-taker, but cast a conflicting one in the privacy of the voting booth.

The Guardian

Related: Obama says 'sense of unfairness' fuels protests in Baltimore and Ferguson – live Conflicting and confused news reports of a shooting incident in still-fraught Baltimore – including by Fox News – have been unambiguously contradicted by city police, causing a surreal scene on social media and cable TV and almost triggering a return to Monday's violence.

The Guardian

She later jokingly tweeted: "There appear to be a number of conflicting petitions out there to have me hung and quartered.

The Guardian

(The two sides have conflicting accounts of what was agreed).

The Guardian - Opinion

Most combine two conflicting personality traits – they are both highly introverted and highly extroverted.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "conflicting", ensure that the items in conflict are clearly identified to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify "conflicting reports" rather than just stating something is "conflicting".

Common error

Avoid stacking multiple instances of "conflicting" within a single, complex sentence. This can create convoluted phrasing. Simplify by breaking down the sentence or using alternative terms to improve clarity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "conflicting" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something characterized by opposition, contradiction, or incompatibility. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes situations where things are at odds, as seen in the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "conflicting" functions as an adjective used to describe opposition or incompatibility, as Ludwig AI confirms. It is grammatically sound and very common in various contexts, particularly in news and media. When using "conflicting", ensure that the conflicting elements are clear. Remember to avoid overuse in complex sentences to maintain clarity. Consider alternatives such as "opposing", "contradictory", or "inconsistent" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

opposing

Emphasizes direct antagonism or resistance between two or more things.

contradictory

Highlights a logical inconsistency or a statement that negates another.

inconsistent

Focuses on a lack of uniformity or coherence, suggesting a deviation from a standard or expectation.

at odds

Implies a state of disagreement or disharmony, often between people or groups.

clashing

Suggests a forceful or abrupt conflict, often involving opposing ideas or interests.

discordant

Highlights a lack of harmony or agreement, particularly in sounds or opinions.

antagonistic

Describes a relationship marked by active hostility or opposition.

irreconcilable

Indicates that differences are too great to be resolved or brought into agreement.

mutually exclusive

Means that two things cannot both be true or valid at the same time.

incompatible

Stresses that two things are unable to exist or work together in harmony.

FAQs

How is "conflicting" used in a sentence?

"Conflicting" is used to describe situations where two or more things are incompatible or contradictory. For instance, "There were "conflicting reports" about the accident".

What's a good alternative to "conflicting"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "opposing", "contradictory", or "inconsistent".

Is it correct to use "conflicting" to describe emotions?

Yes, you can use "conflicting" to describe emotions, such as "conflicting feelings" or "conflicting emotions", to indicate mixed or contradictory feelings.

What is the difference between "conflicting" and "competing"?

"Conflicting" implies a direct opposition or incompatibility, while "competing" suggests rivalry or striving for the same goal. For example, "conflicting schedules" vs. "competing interests".