sectarian

American  

[sek-tair-ee-uhn] / sɛkˈtɛər i ən /

adjective

1. of or relating to sectaries or sects.

2. narrowly confined or devoted to a particular sect.

3. narrowly confined or limited in interest, purpose, scope, etc.

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noun

1. a member of a sect.

2. a bigoted or narrow-minded adherent of a sect.

sectarian British  

/ sɛkˈtɛərɪən /

adjective

1. of, belonging or relating to, or characteristic of sects or sectaries

2. adhering to a particular sect, faction, or doctrine

3. narrow-minded, esp as a result of rigid adherence to a particular sect

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noun

1. a member of a sect or faction, esp one who is bigoted in his adherence to its doctrines or in his intolerance towards other sects, etc

Other Word Forms

• sectarianism noun
• sectarianly adverb
• unsectarian adjective

Etymology

Origin of sectarian

First recorded in 1640–50; sectary + -an

Explanation

Sectarian is a word to describe something having to do with smaller groups or sects. Sectarian violence, for example, would describe violence that has erupted between conflicting groups or sects. Sectarian, as a noun, is a member of a group with a particular set of interests. If you're a religious sectarian, you are loyal to a particular religious sect or group. Unfortunately, there are not many places in the world where sectarian strife and conflict do not exist.

Example Sentences

That has put pressure on Lebanon’s delicate sectarian balance, with some communities expelling the displaced Shiites or not allowing them to come in the first place for fear of being targeted by Israel.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

The British, while struggling desperately to keep India from dividing along sectarian lines before and during World War II, were set against the revival of the caliphate.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 4, 2026

Despite a shared enmity for the United States and Israel, the Shiite and Sunni militias are bitter sectarian foes.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 1, 2026

Asked if the government made mistakes in its response to the sectarian violence, she replies: "Mistakes happen in transition, in post-conflict; no-one is happy about it, including the president."

From BBC • Feb. 1, 2026

I ask my fellow-workers at the factory; they know nothing and think I am talking of some crazy Yomesh sectarian.

From "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. Le Guin

Related Words

• factional
• parochial
• partisan