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

In fact, Dobbs said “instead of diversity, he’s talking about factionalism.”

From Los Angeles Times

And though it’s much easier now to find books and other media taking a range of perspectives on menopause, it’s also easy to be waylaid by influencers, charlatans and factionalism.

From Salon

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

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