Frictions

Frictions, in a general sense, refer to conflicts or disagreements arising from differing opinions, interests, or personalities. These clashes can manifest in various contexts, from interpersonal relationships to international relations, creating tension and potentially hindering progress. They represent resistance to movement or harmony, whether physical or social. Friction implies a degree of rubbing or abrasion, metaphorically describing the processes that cause things to slow down, heat up, or even break. The concept encompasses both the active process of disagreement and the resulting state of disharmony.

Frictions meaning with examples

• The ongoing negotiations between the two companies experienced constant frictions over intellectual property rights, delaying the merger. Disagreements arose repeatedly, hindering the progress of the deal. The lawyers were constantly at odds, trying to resolve these disputes, leading to increasing frustration.
• Within the volunteer organization, personality frictions between the project lead and several team members slowed down the project significantly. Frequent arguments and passive-aggressive behavior made it challenging to achieve common goals and complete tasks on schedule.
• Historical frictions between the neighboring countries, stemming from border disputes and economic competition, continue to impact diplomatic relations, preventing meaningful collaboration. The history of mistrust made any negotiation difficult, increasing the chance of conflict.
• The application of a new policy within the company led to frictions with employees who felt the changes were unfair. The team experienced high levels of internal conflict and resentment from the imposed policy, resulting in a decline in overall productivity.