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
Critics have also raised concerns about the use of private donors, suggesting there could be a conflict of interest at play.
—
Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 25 Oct. 2025
But Youngquist said in his interview that DPS leaders viewed the job as a conflict of interest to his board duties, despite the director working with another district — Colorado Springs School District 11 — instead of DPS.
—Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 24 Oct. 2025
Courts have occasionally removed government lawyers from cases when an actual conflict of interest or serious ethical violation was proven.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Would the payment represent a conflict of interest?
—Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for conflict of interest
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.
Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 25 Oct. 2025
But Youngquist said in his interview that DPS leaders viewed the job as a conflict of interest to his board duties, despite the director working with another district — Colorado Springs School District 11 — instead of DPS.
—Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 24 Oct. 2025
Courts have occasionally removed government lawyers from cases when an actual conflict of interest or serious ethical violation was proven.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Would the payment represent a conflict of interest?
—Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for conflict of interest
Cite this Entry
“Conflict of interest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conflict%20of%20interest. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share