infighting

American  

[in-fahy-ting] / ˈɪnˌfaɪ tɪŋ /

noun

1. fighting at close range.

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

3. free-for-all fighting.

---

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

---

Other Word Forms

• infighter noun

Etymology

Origin of infighting

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

Example Sentences

Despite the disagreements, some activists struck a more optimistic note about the party's ability to avoid damaging infighting.

From Barron's • Mar. 29, 2026

The party is also filling a void left by a conservative opposition which is grappling with infighting and a failure to appeal to younger voters and women.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

Can we really not just laugh this off as a fun show of infighting on the too-online right?

From Slate • Feb. 27, 2026

But the brothers have also taken advantage of the infighting to seize territory and control of areas.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 26, 2026

The National Research Council, which had been founded in 1916 as a conduit of government funds to academic institutions but had been hobbled by political infighting and academic mistrust, became revivified in the postwar years.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

Related Words

• fighting
• rumble
• struggle