fratricidal

American  

[fra-tri-sahyd-l] / ˌfræ trɪˈsaɪd l /

adjective

1. being or relating to the act of killing one’s brother or a member of one’s own tribe or group.

   The Mongol Empire was done in by its recurrent fratricidal infighting.

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Etymology

Origin of fratricidal

First recorded in 1665–75; fratricid(e) ( def. ) + -al ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

In it, he called on the new coup leaders “to come to their senses to avoid a fratricidal war that Burkina Faso does not need.”

From Seattle Times • Oct. 2, 2022

"The Church prays that this battle will end as soon as possible, so that as few brothers as possible will kill each other in this fratricidal war."

From Reuters • Sep. 26, 2022

Each was gravely wounded by the fratricidal fighting and all failed to win another term.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2019

But she also emphasized the limits of the operation’s goals, reflecting the reluctance in London as well as Washington to become too immersed in the fratricidal war in Syria.

From New York Times • Apr. 13, 2018

Is it necessary to spell out that societies mired in fratricidal chaos are vulnerable to conquest?

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann