internecine

Also in·ter·ne·cive

[in-ter-nee-seen, -sahyn, -nes-een, -nes-ahyn]

adjective

1. of or relating to conflict or struggle within a group.

   an internecine feud among proxy holders.

2. mutually destructive.

3. characterized by great slaughter; deadly.

internecine

/ ˌɪntəˈniːsaɪn /

adjective

1. mutually destructive or ruinous; maiming both or all sides

   internecine war

2. of or relating to slaughter or carnage; bloody

3. of or involving conflict within a group or organization

Word History and Origins

Origin of internecine¹

1655–65; < Latin internecīnus, internecīvus murderous, equivalent to internec ( āre ) to kill out, exterminate ( inter- inter- + necāre to kill) + -īnus -ine ¹, -īvus -ive

Word History and Origins

Origin of internecine¹

C17: from Latin internecīnus, from internecāre to destroy, from necāre to kill

Example Sentences

The powerful pro-Israel lobby’s standing among Democrats has become a flash point amid broader internecine conflict in the Democratic Party over Israel’s unrelenting war in Gaza.

From Los Angeles Times

The 97th Academy Awards arrive Sunday after a film season full of wild momentum swings, online trolling and internecine whisper campaigns.

From Los Angeles Times

But for all of his newfound fame and fortune, the internecine conflicts of the L.A. streets haunted him.

From Los Angeles Times

Elon Musk won yet another internecine GOP brawl and proved that he has the next president of the United States firmly under his thumb.

From Salon

The rebel factions have a history of division and internecine fighting.

From BBC