conflict and fight share a recorded sense, so the question is not what they mean but which one fits. conflict means “an open clash between two opposing groups (or individuals)”. fight means “a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war”. fight is the more common of the two in everyday English.
/ˈkɑnflɪkt/
1.n.an open clash between two opposing groups (or individuals)
“the harder the conflict the more glorious the triumph”
2.n.opposition between two simultaneous but incompatible feelings
“he was immobilized by conflict and indecision”
3.n.a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
“Grant won a decisive victory in the battle of Chickamauga”
/ˈfaɪt/
1.n.a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
“Grant won a decisive victory in the battle of Chickamauga”
2.n.the act of fighting; any contest or struggle
“a fight broke out at the hockey game”
3.n.an aggressive willingness to compete
“the team was full of fight”
| conflict | fight | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈkɑnflɪkt/ | /ˈfaɪt/ |
| Said | KAHN-flikt | fahyt |
| Syllables | 2 | 1 |
| Letters | 8 | 5 |
| Parts of speech | noun, verb | noun, verb |
| Senses | 9 | 9 |
| How common | Common | Core |
| Synonyms | struggle, battle | battle, conflict, engagement |
Full entry for conflict · Full entry for fight · More comparisons