infighting

American  

[in-fahy-ting] / ˈɪnˌfaɪ tɪŋ /

noun

1. fighting fighting at close range.

2. fighting fighting between rivals, people closely associated, members of a group, etc.; internecine contention.

3. free-for-all fighting. fighting.

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infighting British  

/ ˈɪnˌfaɪtɪŋ /

noun

1. boxing combat at close quarters in which proper blows are inhibited and the fighters try to wear down each other's strength

2. intense competition, as between members of the same organization, esp when kept secret from outsiders

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Other Word Forms

• infighter noun

Etymology

Origin of infighting

First recorded in 1810–20; in- ¹ + fighting

Example Sentences

"When he was assassinated, we saw infighting. We've seen fractures," she said.

From Barron's

In opening remarks, Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, said her husband’s killing showed “how much of a coalition-builder he was. Because when he was assassinated, we saw infighting. We’ve seen fractures. We’ve seen bridges being burned that shouldn’t be burned.”

From The Wall Street Journal

He is obviously unhappy about something, and if there is some sort of infighting going on, or if he feels he is not being backed properly, then that does not bode well regardless of what happens on the pitch.

From BBC

“Given that the Fire Department was under such scrutiny, such a difficult time, morale is in the toilet, infighting that’s going on, the last thing in the world they needed, in my opinion, was somebody from the outside,” Bass told The Times.

From Los Angeles Times

That came after Adnan Hussain announced he was exiting the outfit due to "persistent infighting" and "veiled prejudice" against Muslim men.

From Barron's

Related Words

• fighting
• rumble
• struggle