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factionalism

American  
[fak-shuh-nl-iz-uhm] / ˈfæk ʃə nlˌɪz əm /

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.

Etymology

Origin of factionalism

factional ( def. ) + -ism ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

More recently, the head of the public prosecutor's office, Advocate Shamila Bahoti, said factionalism and infighting within the police had affected how the case was investigated over the years.

From BBC • Jan. 5, 2026

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 • Sep. 22, 2025

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 • Feb. 17, 2025

Although the Karen are among the most experienced of the armed ethnic groups, they lack the heavy weapons some other rebel organizations have, and also suffer from factionalism.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 11, 2024

The Inka, he wrote in his 1963 article, were not defeated by steel and horses but by disease and factionalism.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.