Balkanize

American  

[bawl-kuh-nahyz] / ˈbɔl kəˌnaɪz /

especially British, Balkanise

verb (used with object)

Balkanized, Balkanizing

1. to divide (a country, territory, etc.) into small, quarrelsome, ineffectual states.

2. (often lowercase) to divide (groups, areas, etc.) into contending and usually ineffectual factions.

   a movement to balkanize minority voters.

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Balkanize British  

/ ˈbɔːlkəˌnaɪz /

verb

1. (tr) to divide (a territory) into small warring states

2. to divide (a group or organization) into small factions

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Other Word Forms

• Balkanism noun
• Balkanization noun
• Balkanized adjective

Etymology

Origin of Balkanize

First recorded in 1915–20; Balkan + -ize

Example Sentences

Opponents of the new AVAs are worried that creating subregions will Balkanize the valley and dilute the reputation of its wines.

From Time Magazine Archive

We're used to being multicultural, and though we're constantly struggling with the consequences, we don't Balkanize because of it.

From Time Magazine Archive

Wilson similarly complains that the move would Balkanize the Governor's office.

From Time Magazine Archive

Long annoyed by the city's experiments in school decentralization, which threatened to Balkanize both the schools and his union, Shanker got tough when the Ocean Hill-Brownsville school board tried to oust 13 of "his" teachers.

From Time Magazine Archive