conflict

(n) an open clash between two opposing groups (or individuals)
- "the harder the conflict the more glorious the triumph"--Thomas Paine
- police tried to control the battle between the pro- and anti-abortion mobs
struggle, battle,
(n) opposition between two simultaneous but incompatible feelings
- he was immobilized by conflict and indecision
(n) 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
battle, engagement, fight,
(n) a state of opposition between persons or ideas or interests
- his conflict of interest made him ineligible for the post
- a conflict of loyalties
(n) an incompatibility of dates or events
- he noticed a conflict in the dates of the two meetings
(n) opposition in a work of drama or fiction between characters or forces (especially an opposition that motivates the development of the plot)
- this form of conflict is essential to Mann's writing
(n) a disagreement or argument about something important
- he had a dispute with his wife
- there were irreconcilable differences
- the familiar conflict between Republicans and Democrats
difference of opinion, dispute, difference,

(v) be in conflict
- The two proposals conflict!
(v) go against, as of rules and laws
- He ran afoul of the law
- This behavior conflicts with our rules
contravene, infringe, run afoul,

struggle battle contravene infringe run afoul engagement fight difference of opinion dispute difference

conflicting conflict of interest