disunity

American  

[dis-yoo-ni-tee] / dɪsˈyu nɪ ti /

noun

plural

disunities

1. lack of unity or accord.

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disunity British  

/ dɪsˈjuːnɪtɪ /

noun

1. dissension or disagreement

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Etymology

Origin of disunity

First recorded in 1625–35; dis- ¹ + unity

Explanation

Disunity is a state of disagreement and conflict in a group of people. If you and your siblings are bickering loudly about who gets to sit in the front seat of the car, that's a good example of disunity. When people experience disunity, they just can't get along — in other words, they're not united. Unity, "the state of being one," comes from the Latin unitatem, "oneness, sameness, or agreement." Adding the prefix dis-, "not, or lack of," gives you the exact opposite. The disunity of a country can be seen in bitter political rhetoric, and your book group shows disunity when the members argue incessantly over what to read next.

Example Sentences

Disunity was visible in protests against Saied in recent days.

From Reuters • Jul. 25, 2022

Disunity and insufficient coordination among Christians in the region prevent them from achieving their potential.

From Newsweek • Apr. 5, 2015

Disunity A main road was blocked off and a stage set up for a rally protesting the electricity shortage.

From New York Times • Jul. 14, 2010

Disunity is the sign of defeat; unity the mark of victory.

From Time Magazine Archive

Disunity is a danger that the nations and peoples of the earth can no longer endure; the consequences are too terrible to contemplate, too obvious to require any demonstration.

From The Promise of World Peace by Universal House of Justice

Related Words

• discord
• dissension
• divergence