Conflicted
/kənˈflɪktɪd/
Definitions
Experiencing or showing a state of mental conflict; characterized by opposing feelings or desires.
/kənˈflɪktɪd/
Feeling confused or uncertain
He was conflicted about going to the party because he had a lot of homework.
💡 Simply: Imagine you want to do two things, but you can only do one. Maybe you want ice cream AND to save your money. Feeling conflicted is like your brain is having a little argument!
👶 For kids: When you feel two different ways about something, like happy and sad at the same time, that's called conflicted.
More Examples
She felt conflicted between her love for him and her loyalty to her family.
The senator was conflicted about the proposed legislation because of the potential impact on both the environment and the economy.
How It's Used
"The therapist helped the patient understand their conflicted feelings about their parents."
"She felt conflicted about whether to accept the job offer, torn between loyalty to her current employer and the opportunity for career advancement."
From Middle English conflicten, from Old French conflicter, from Latin confligere (“to strike together, fight”), from com- (“together”) + fligere (“to strike”).
The word 'conflicted' and its base 'conflict' have been used since the 15th century, describing clashes and disagreements, evolving to represent internal struggles as well.
Memory tip
Think of a battlefield within the mind, where opposing thoughts are constantly fighting.