conflicted

adjective

con·​flict·​ed kən-ˈflik-təd How to pronounce conflicted (audio)
Synonyms of conflictednext
: experiencing or marked by ambivalence or a conflict especially of emotions
conflicted feelings
… these people are … conflicted in their values and beliefs.Norman Ornstein

Examples of conflicted in a Sentence

She was still conflicted about her ex-husband's remarriage. I'm conflicted about the prospect of our only child going away to college.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
There’s an intimacy in their collaboration that allows Coogler to push Jordan into increasingly complex territory — from the tragic Oscar Grant to the conflicted Killmonger to the demanding twins in Sinners. Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026 But the intensity of the reaction to her success reveals how conflicted America remains about women’s power. Laurel Elder, Fortune, 22 Jan. 2026 On the Waterfront is a riveting morality tale that remains relevant decades later, and Brando's performance as the conflicted Terry rightfully earned him his first Academy Award, with the film also winning Best Picture and six other Oscars. Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Jan. 2026 The actress also seemed conflicted when asked to comment on the accusations, Us Weekly added. Martha Ross, Mercury News, 14 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for conflicted

Word History

Etymology

from past participle of conflict entry 2

First Known Use

1789, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of conflicted was in 1789

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Conflicted.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conflicted. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.

Medical Definition

conflicted

adjective
con·​flict·​ed kən-ˈflik-təd How to pronounce conflicted (audio)
: having or experiencing emotional conflict
working women were much more conflicted about working than full-time mothers were about staying homePeople

More from Merriam-Webster on conflicted

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!