sectarianism

[ sek-tair-ee-uh-niz-uhm ]

/ sɛkˈtɛər i əˌnɪz əm /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for sectarianism on Thesaurus.com

noun

sectarian spirit or tendencies; excessive devotion to a particular sect, especially in religion.

QUIZ

ALL IN FAVO(U)R OF THIS BRITISH VS. AMERICAN ENGLISH QUIZ

There's an ocean of difference between the way people speak English in the US vs. the UK. Are your language skills up to the task of telling the difference? Let's find out!

Question 1 of 7

True or false? British English and American English are only different when it comes to slang words.

true

false

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of sectarianism

First recorded in 1810–20; sectarian + -ism

Words nearby sectarianism

secret service, secret society, secs., sect, sectarian, sectarianism, sectarianize, sectary, sectile, section, sectional

How to use sectarianism in a sentence

The West says far too little about the cancer of sectarianism.
Why’s Al Qaeda So Strong? Washington Has (Literally) No idea|Bruce Riedel|November 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Late last month he published a paper called “Beyond Sectarianism: The New Middle East Cold War.”
The Middle East Cold War and U.S.|Michael Tomasky|August 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This from a regime that never shies from accusing other countries of stoking “sectarianism.”
Russia Stages a Coup in Crimea|Michael Weiss|March 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Most Lebanese parties are genuinely trying to avoid an epidemic of sectarianism.
Is Syria Being 'Lebanized' or is Lebanon Being 'Syrianized'?|Hussein Ibish|August 29, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Diplomats fear the al‐Qaeda infiltration will feed off—and add to—destabilizing sectarianism sparked by the conflict in Syria.
Al Qaeda’s Play for Lebanon|Jamie Dettmer|July 29, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Nonconformity is, no doubt, amenable to the reproach of undue sectarianism and unnecessary division.
British Quarterly Review, American Edition, Volume LIV|Various
The "godless schools" exist only in the minds of those who for purposes of dispute and sectarianism decree them so.
The Minister and the Boy|Allan Hoben
It never has taken the smug attitude of sectarianism, a placid self-satisfaction with its own perfection.
Our Lady Saint Mary|J. G. H. Barry
I have become so sick, my friends, of this miserable sectarianism, that I wish it could all be swept away.
Pleasure & Profit in Bible Study|Dwight Moody
The dogmatism of the medical college, and of most scientific associations, rivals that of theological sectarianism.
Buchanan's Journal of Man, January 1888|Various

sectarianism

Origin of sectarianism

Words nearby sectarianism

Words related to sectarianism

How to use sectarianism in a sentence