opposing interests

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "opposing interests" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to conflicting or contrasting desires or goals held by different individuals or groups. It can be used in a variety of contexts, such as politics, business, or personal relationships. Example: The negotiations between the labor union and the company were at a standstill due to their opposing interests – the union wanted higher wages while the company wanted to cut costs.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

He recognized the need for compromise, for making deals and for striking bargains between opposing interests.

The New York Times

But the opposing interests of the wealthy and poor districts could hardly be more stark.

The New York Times

No lawyer represents the opposing interests of anyone the government seeks to monitor.

The Guardian

And fair play didn't just appear, fully fledged; instead, it evolved through the collision of opposing interests.

The Guardian

Future town meetings, regarding the requests for rezoning, are sure to be a cacaphony of opposing interests.

The New York Times

And so this may be a time for the joining together of people who have often defined themselves by their opposing interests.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

This occurs despite having to constantly coordinate practice interests with, in some cases, the opposing interest of the patient under pressure of time.

Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training

Rouhani's government finds itself between two opposing interest groups.

Huffington Post

This means consistently opposing interest rate hikes and prioritizing the Fed's mandate to maximize employment.

Huffington Post

The effect of the media transformed what very likely would have been just another local tragedy affecting a few families into an international event that provided a stage for opposing interest groups.

American Journal of Community Psychology

But he laments the missed opportunity for a grand bargain to align opposed interests.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about negotiations or disputes, use "opposing interests" to clearly convey the fundamental disagreements driving the conflict.

Common error

Avoid using "opposing interests" interchangeably with phrases like "different opinions". While opinions can contribute to opposing interests, the latter often involves deeper, more material or strategic conflicts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "opposing interests" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence or clause. It identifies the presence of conflicting motivations or goals between different entities, as demonstrated in examples from Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

36%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Huffington Post

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "opposing interests" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression, primarily within news and media, as well as scientific contexts. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it accurately describes conflicting desires or goals among individuals or groups. The term's neutral register makes it appropriate for various levels of formality, especially in professional or academic discourse. To enhance writing, remember that while "opposing interests" can arise from different opinions, the core of the phrase implies deeper conflicts. Related phrases such as "conflicting agendas" and "competing priorities" offer nuanced alternatives to consider.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conflicting agendas

Replaces "interests" with "agendas", emphasizing planned actions that clash.

competing priorities

Focuses on the idea that different things are valued differently, leading to conflict.

rival objectives

Highlights the competitive nature of the conflicting goals.

divergent aims

Uses "divergent" to emphasize the separation and lack of alignment in goals.

clashing motivations

Emphasizes the underlying reasons for the differing interests.

antagonistic goals

Highlights the adversarial nature of the interests.

discordant ambitions

Focuses on the lack of harmony between the desired outcomes.

opposing viewpoints

Shifts the focus to differing opinions that lead to conflicts.

contrasting perspectives

Similar to "opposing viewpoints", but emphasizes the way things are seen.

differing incentives

Focuses on rewards or advantages that cause the conflict.

FAQs

How can I use "opposing interests" in a sentence?

You can use "opposing interests" to describe situations where different parties have conflicting goals. For example: "The negotiation failed because of the "opposing interests" of the buyer and seller."

What are some alternatives to "opposing interests"?

Some alternatives include "conflicting agendas", "competing priorities", or "rival objectives", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "opposing interests" or "different interests"?

"Opposing interests" implies a direct conflict or antagonism, while "different interests" simply suggests that the parties have separate goals that may not necessarily clash. The best choice depends on the specific nature of the situation.

What's the difference between "opposing interests" and "vested interests"?

"Opposing interests" refers to conflicting goals between parties, while "vested interests" describes a personal stake or benefit that influences a party's actions or decisions. Vested interests can certainly create opposing interests.