conflict of interest

noun

1. the circumstance of a public officeholder, business executive, or the like, whose personal interests might benefit from their official actions or influence.

   The senator placed his stocks in trust to avoid possible conflict of interest.

2. the circumstance of a person who finds that one of their own activities, interests, etc., can be advanced only at the expense of another of them.

Word History and Origins

Origin of conflict of interest¹

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

"At this stage, it appears the only way for Google to end its conflict of interest effectively is with a structural remedy, such as selling some part of its ad tech business," she said.

From BBC

He added that he fired all the members of the vaccine panel because it was “plagued with persistent conflicts of interest.”

From Los Angeles Times

The Accounts Commission report said there had been a lack of appropriate scrutiny, transparency and accountability in the process, and that possible conflicts of interest should have been obvious to the senior officers.

From BBC

"The media's continued attempts to fabricate conflicts of interest are irresponsible and reinforce the public's distrust in what they read," Ms Leavitt said in a statement.

From BBC

The relationship was with an employee who is not on the executive board and the investigation began because it represented a conflict of interest, the BBC has learned.

From BBC