What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
friction
Example
The friction between the tires and the road caused the car to slow down. [friction: noun]
Example
There was some friction between the team members due to differences in opinion. [friction: noun]
conflict
Example
The conflict between the two countries resulted in a war. [conflict: noun]
Example
The protagonist in the story faces an internal conflict between what is right and what is easy. [conflict: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Friction is a more common word than conflict in everyday language. Friction is a versatile term that can be used in various contexts, while conflict is typically reserved for more serious and intense situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between friction and conflict?
Conflict is a more formal word than friction. Conflict is often used in academic or professional settings to describe serious issues, while friction is more commonly used in casual conversation to describe minor annoyances or disagreements.
