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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.

Factionalism is, as Mr Zuma himself once admitted, eating the party alive.

From BBC • Jul. 15, 2018

Factionalism and decline are pretty much the inevitable third act for any advocacy movement.

From Salon • Sep. 30, 2012

Repudiated by A. F. of L. headquarters, shrugged at by Department of Justice officials, this spurious tale was probably accepted as gospel by all good haters of C. I. O. Factionalism.

From Time Magazine Archive

Factionalism fades before common purpose: to preserve the team's traditional supremacy.

From Time Magazine Archive

Factionalism is a class spirit which will sacrifice the interest of the whole to the interest of the class.

From Ethics in Service by Taft, William H.

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.