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.
Adding to the political theater, the Santa Cruz County prosecutors, who took on the case due to a conflict of interest in the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office, asked a judge to dismiss the charges last month. —Devan Patel, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024 While Trump, who is the primary shareholder of Trump Media with a 57.6% stake in the company, can legally hold onto his shares while in office, there is a conflict of interest. —Rocio Fabbro, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024 The Hovde campaign said the relationship presented a conflict of interest. —David Sivak, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 6 Nov. 2024 Critics have said this position would represent a conflict of interest for Musk. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near conflict of interest

conflicting

conflict of interest

conflow

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Conflict of interest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conflict%20of%20interest. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

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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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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