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

The Scottish Greens are hoping for their best election result ever at the upcoming Holyrood election, but have suffered bouts of infighting recently.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 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

Agitation, on the other hand—the sort of I-told-ya-so infighting, finger-pointing, and disenchantment which followed Sunday’s rude playoff dismissal by San Francisco?

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 12, 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