factional

[fak-shuh-nl]

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adjective

of a faction or factions.
self-interested; partisan: Factional interests had obstructed justice.

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Origin of factional

First recorded in 1640–50; faction¹ + -al¹

Related formsfac·tion·al·ism, nounfac·tion·al·ist, nounin·ter·fac·tion·al, adjectiveun·fac·tion·al, adjective

Can be confusedfactional factious fractious

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

squabble warfare clash discord disunity disagreement fighting dissension quarrel wrangle friction animosity controversy rivalry conflict dispute wrangling bickering hostility strife

Examples from the Web for factionalism

Historical Examples

But within five years the order was rent by factionalism and in 1878 was acknowledged to be dead.
The Armies of Labor
Samuel P. Orth
The sources of this factionalism were varied, and some of them had little to do with the affairs of Virginia.
The Virginia Company Of London, 1606-1624
Wesley Frank Craven
This factionalism contributed largely to the overthrow of the radicals.
The Sequel of Appomattox
Walter Lynwood Fleming
Factionalism is a class spirit which will sacrifice the interest of the whole to the interest of the class.
Ethics in Service
William Howard Taft

Word Origin and History for factionalism

n.

1904, American English, from factional + -ism.

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factional

adj.

1640s, from faction + -al (1).

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper