How to pronounce conflict
Say it like KON-flikt. Conflict has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KON).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce conflict. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KON
- flikt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Conflict pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KONSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- fliktKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of conflict
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: KON-flikt.
Other ways to say conflict
Conflict also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- kun-FLIKT /kənˈflɪkt/
What does conflict mean?
- an open clash between two opposing groups (or individuals)“the harder the conflict the more glorious the triumph”“police tried to control the battle between the pro- and anti-abortion mobs”
- opposition between two simultaneous but incompatible feelings“he was immobilized by conflict and indecision”
- a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war“Grant won a decisive victory in the battle of Chickamauga”“he lost his romantic ideas about war when he got into a real engagement”
- be in conflict“The two proposals conflict!”
- go against, as of rules and laws“He ran afoul of the law”“This behavior conflicts with our rules”
Where does conflict come from?
From Latin cōnflīctus, from com- + flīctus, past participle of conflīgō (“to strike together”), from com- + flīgō (“strike”) (whence con-).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying conflict
How do you pronounce conflict?
Say KON-flikt. The American pronunciation is /ˈkɑnflɪkt/. In British English it is /ˈkɒnflɪkt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in conflict?
Conflict has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KON). Broken into parts: KON · flikt.
Is conflict pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˈkɒnflɪkt/ (KON-flikt).