Conflict and Compliance: English Vocabulary List

to show disagreement by taking action or expressing it verbally, particularly in public

"The students plan to protest tomorrow."

"The students decided to protest against the university's decision to increase tuition fees for the third consecutive year."

(of two ideas, opinions, etc.) to oppose each other

"Our views conflict."

"The witness's testimony seems to conflict with the physical evidence that was found at the crime scene."

to have a lasting and heated argument with someone

"Neighbors feud over property."

"The two families have been feuding for generations over a piece of land that both claim as their own."

to enter a territory using armed forces in order to occupy or take control of it

"The army invaded the neighboring country."

"The dictator made the terrible decision to invade the neighboring country in order to gain access to its rich oil fields and ports."

to force someone to do what they do not want

"The government may impose new taxes."

"The government decided to impose new taxes on luxury goods to increase revenue for social welfare programs."

to cause or impose something unpleasant, harmful, or unwelcome upon someone or something

"They inflict pain."

"The hurricane inflicted severe damage on the coastal town destroying hundreds of homes and businesses."

to force someone to do something through threats or manipulation

"Do not coerce your friend."

"The manager tried to coerce his employees into working overtime without offering any extra pay."

to struggle or fight with someone, particularly to get something

"They will tussle."

"The two children began to tussle over the toy until their mother separated them and made them share."

to illegally take someone away, especially by force or deception

"Kidnappers abducted the wealthy businessman."

"The police launched a massive search when they discovered that someone had tried to abduct a young child from the playground."

to cause the downfall of authority figures or rulers

"They subvert the system."

"The spy was arrested for trying to subvert the government by spreading false information and inciting rebellion."

to treat someone unfairly or cruelly, often because of their race, gender, religion, or beliefs

"The regime persecuted minority groups."

"Throughout history various religious groups have been persecuted for their beliefs by those in positions of power."

to make secret plans with other people to commit an illegal or destructive act

"The group conspired against the government."

"The two employees conspired to steal trade secrets from their employer and sell them to a rival company for a large profit."

to launch a vigorous or violent attack on someone or something, either physically or verbally

"They will assail us."

"The politician's opponents chose to assaile his character rather than debate his policy proposals."

a person that one is opposed to and fights or competes with

"He is my adversary."

"He faced his strongest political adversary during the heated debate on television."

the military equipment and weaponry used by a country or military force

"The country increased its armament before the coming war."

"Armament refers to the total military weapons and equipment possessed by a nation"

a fierce and intense attack, often with the goal of overwhelming the opponent

"The onslaught was fierce."

"The army launched a fierce onslaught against the enemy's fortified position."

behavior or feelings that are aggressive or unfriendly

"Open hostility shown."

"The hostility between the two rival gangs led to frequent violent confrontations in the streets."

a formidable opponent or persistent force that causes misery, defeat, or downfall

"He is her nemesis."

"The superhero finally faced his nemesis in an epic battle that would decide the fate of the city."

a state of heated disagreement, often coming from different viewpoints or interests

"This is a contention."

"The main point of contention between the two sides was the ownership of the land."

a sudden and brief attack to other territory, especially in large numbers and across a border

"Enemy incursion into our land."

"The military incursion across the border increased tension between the two neighboring countries."

a situation of hostility or strong disagreement between two opposing individuals, parties, or groups

"The confrontation escalated."

"The confrontation between protesters and police turned violent when someone threw a rock."

a surprise attack against a place or a group of people

"The police raid arrested several suspects."

"The police conducted a surprise raid on the building and arrested several people for drug dealing."

being without protection or means of defending oneself from harm or attack

"The child is defenseless."

"The defenseless kitten was attacked by a large dog and the owner ran outside to rescue the terrified animal."

refusing or failing to follow rules, orders, or instructions, often showing resistance to authority

"The child is disobedient."

"The disobedient child refused to do his homework and his parents took away his video games as punishment."

with a significant amount of physical strength or authority

"The police forcibly removed the protestor."

"The police forcibly removed the protestor from the building after he refused to leave peacefully when asked."

to act in accordance with rules, regulations, or requests

"We must comply now."

"All employees are expected to comply with the company's strict safety protocols to prevent accidents."

the act of becoming friendly with someone once more after ending a disagreement

"National reconciliation needed."

"National reconciliation is necessary to heal the deep divisions in the society after the conflict."

a middle state between two opposing situations that is reached by slightly changing both of them, so that they can coexist

"They reached a compromise after hours of negotiation."

"The two political parties had to reach a compromise to pass the new law through parliament."

showing a tendency to be passive or compliant

"She is submissive."

"The submissive employee never questioned her boss's decisions and she did whatever she was told without complaining."

to formally oppose or challenge a decision or a statement

"He contests the decision."

"The losing candidate decided to contest the election results because she suspected widespread voter fraud had occurred."

to object to the legality or acceptability of something

"They challenge the decision."

"The young lawyer decided to challenge the judge's decision because she believed it was unfair and biased."

to fight or contend against someone or something, often in a physical or armed conflict

"They will combat the enemy."

"The local government has introduced several new laws to combat the rising levels of pollution effectively."

to not allow someone to do something or go somewhere

"The new rule will bar smoking inside."

"The new policy will bar employees from using social media during working hours."

to cause the downfall or removal of rulers or leaders

"The people overturn the king."

"The revolution was successful in its attempt to overturn the corrupt government."

to force someone to act in a certain way

"Rules constrain behavior."

"The strict regulations of the organization constrain employees from making independent decisions without prior approval from management."

to defeat someone or something using superior strength, force, or influence

"The army will overpower the enemy."

"The overwhelming economic power of the corporation began to overpower smaller businesses in the region."

to refuse to respect a person of authority or to observe a law, rule, etc.

"They defy the rules."

"The protestors chose to openly defy the authorities by refusing to disperse from the public square."

a set of actions organized in order to serve a political purpose

"The campaign was successful."

"The presidential campaign involved numerous rallies, debates, and media appearances to win over voters."

an act of crime in which someone physically attacks another person

"The assault happened last night."

"The victim reported the physical assault to the police immediately after it occurred."

disagreement or conflict within a group expected to collaborate

"There was dissension."

"Internal dissension within the party grew stronger before the important election."

a building or group of buildings used by troops to protect an area

"The fort stood tall."

"The military fort protected nearby villages from repeated enemy invasions successfully."

eager or inclined to engage in fighting or arguing

"He is combative."

"The combative customer argued with the cashier over the price of an item and the manager had to intervene."

to end or lessen a person's anger by giving in to their demands

"He appeased the angry customer."

"The manager tried to appease the angry customer by offering him a full refund and a discount on future purchases."

(always negative) to tolerate someone or something

"I cannot abide such rudeness."

"I cannot abide the constant noise from my upstairs neighbors any longer."

to devotedly follow or support something, such as a rule, belief, plan, etc.

"Adhere to the safety guidelines strictly."

"You must adhere to the safety rules if you want to work in this laboratory with dangerous chemicals."

to adopt or accept a particular cause, ideology, practice, method, or lifestyle as one's own

"Let's embrace change."

"She decided to embrace a vegan lifestyle, finding it aligned with her ethical beliefs about animal welfare."

the act of solving a problem, dispute, or difficulty

"We need a resolution."

"The committee reached a swift resolution to the long-standing dispute between the two factions."