factionalism

[fak-shuh-nl-iz-uhm]

noun

1. a condition in which a group, organization, government, etc., is split into two or more smaller groups with differing and often opposing opinions or interests.

   Because of factionalism within the student community, only one-third of the students are officially striking.

   His term as director would prove difficult on occasion, primarily because of the factionalism and the poisonous relationships among some of the members.

Word History and Origins

Origin of factionalism¹

factional ( def. ) + -ism ( def. )

Example Sentences

The idea behind picking Martin instead of younger, buzzier Wisconsin state party chair Ben Wikler was that he had the kind of longtime insider relationships that would allow everyone in the party to get moving forward quickly without any unnecessary friction or factionalism.

From Slate

Vatican watchers noted Francis’ determination to sweep clean institutions that had become rife with dysfunction, factionalism and accusations of corruption.

From Los Angeles Times

These excised lines from the Farewell Address serve not only as a warning but as a prescient prophecy of the political turmoil and factionalism that would later shape the nation’s history.

From Slate

The Achilles’ heel of large democracies—their very diversity, if channeled into blind factionalism—could become the instrument of their undoing.

From Slate

The irony stings: In preserving Washington’s unifying legacy, perhaps those words that could have unified Americans in a more important way—against the very factionalism now threatening our republic—were erased.

From Slate

Related Words

• animosity 
• antagonism 
• bad blood 
• bickering 
• conflict 
• discontent 
• discord 
• disharmony 
• dispute 
• dissension 
• hassle 
• hatred 
• hostility 
• quarrel 
• resentment 
• resistance 
• rivalry 
• strife 
• trouble 
• wrangling www.thesaurus.com