conflict of interest

noun phrase

: a conflict between the private interests and the official responsibilities of a person in a position of trust

Examples of conflict of interest in a Sentence

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.
For the annual dinner to occur at the White House itself would be a huge—okay, an even huger—embarrassment and conflict of interest. David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026 Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney Gary Tyack appointed two special prosecutors in June 2021 to investigate the case, citing a potential conflict of interest with his office, which has represented the Franklin County Sheriff's Office in legal proceedings. Deena Zaru, ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026 Dyangani Ose is the former director of MACBA, Barcelona, who resigned in February after the museum ruled that her role as artistic director of the 2027 Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial was a conflict of interest. Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 22 Apr. 2026 Porter County Deputy Prosecutor Kire Pavlovski told the 13 jurors – one alternate was dismissed before arguments began over a potential conflict of interest – that the victim and defendant were hanging out with coworkers in the parking lot of Camaco after getting off the midnight shift. Shelley Jones, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for conflict of interest

Word History

First Known Use

1860, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of conflict of interest was in 1860

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Conflict of interest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conflict%20of%20interest. Accessed 4 May. 2026.

Legal Definition

conflict of interest

con·​flict of interest
ˈkän-ˌflikt-
1
: a conflict between the private interests and the official or professional responsibilities of a person in a position of trust
2
: a conflict between competing duties (as in an attorney's representation of clients with adverse interests) see also ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct
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