internecine

American  

[in-ter-nee-seen, -sahyn, -nes-een, -nes-ahyn] / ˌɪn tərˈni sin, -saɪn, -ˈnɛs in, -ˈnɛs aɪn /

Also internecive

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.

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internecine British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of internecine

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

Example Sentences

Afghanistan’s internecine bloodshed has an epiphanic effect on the author: “When death stalks every door,” she writes in a burst of originality, “the only antidote is to live.”

From The Wall Street Journal

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

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

From BBC

For the first time, Cox and Pope both saw that the internecine battle appeared coordinated.

From Salon