divisiveness

[dih-vahy-siv-nis]

noun

1. a tendency to provoke dissension or discord.

   He called for an end to the divisiveness among council members, imploring them to unite and work together for the betterment of the city.

   Immigration bills are particularly difficult to pass because of the divisiveness of the issue.

Other Word Forms

• nondivisiveness noun
• semidivisiveness noun
• undivisiveness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of divisiveness¹

divisive ( def. ) + -ness ( def. )

Related Words

• animosity 
• antagonism 
• argument 
• bickering 
• clash 
• conflict 
• controversy 
• debate 
• difference 
• discord 
• dissent 
• disunity 
• division 
• feud 
• fight 
• friction 
• hostility 
• misunderstanding 
• opposition 
• spat