sectarian

[sek-tair-ee-uhn]

adjective

1. of or relating to sectaries or sects.

2. narrowly confined or devoted to a particular sect.

3. narrowly confined or limited in interest, purpose, scope, etc.

noun

1. a member of a sect.

2. a bigoted or narrow-minded adherent of a sect.

sectarian

/ sɛkˈtɛərɪən /

adjective

1. of, belonging or relating to, or characteristic of sects or sectaries

2. adhering to a particular sect, faction, or doctrine

3. narrow-minded, esp as a result of rigid adherence to a particular sect

noun

1. a member of a sect or faction, esp one who is bigoted in his adherence to its doctrines or in his intolerance towards other sects, etc

Other Word Forms

• sectarianly adverb
• unsectarian adjective
• sectarianism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sectarian¹

First recorded in 1640–50; sectary + -an

Example Sentences

Abortion became a constitutional “right,” its opponents benighted sectarians.

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However, the country has been rocked by several waves of deadly sectarian violence since then, fuelling fear and distrust among minorities.

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Spotlight has also spoken to a woman from one of several Catholic families who fled a new housing development in the Lower Oldpark area of north Belfast this summer due to sectarian intimidation.

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The clashes, in July, marked the latest outbreak of sectarian violence in Syria since Assad's overthrow.

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Also on Tuesday, a young mother from the Catholic community told BBC News NI she fled her home three weeks ago, claiming her children were subjected to sectarian abuse.

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Related Words

• factional 
• parochial 
• partisan