internal conflict

[ in-tur-nl kon-flikt ]

noun
  1. psychological struggle within the mind of a literary or dramatic character, the resolution of which creates the plot's suspense: Hamlet's inaction is caused by internal conflict.

  2. mental struggle arising from opposing demands or impulses.

Origin of internal conflict

1
First recorded in 1580–90

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use internal conflict in a sentence