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.

---

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

---

Other Word Forms

• infighter noun

Etymology

Origin of infighting

First recorded in 1810–20; in- ¹ + fighting

Example Sentences

The party is also filling a void left by a conservative opposition which is grappling with infighting and a failure to appeal to younger voters and women.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 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

As Mrie recounts, Syrian democratic idealism curdled over time into infighting and worse.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 24, 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

Burger, who was better versed in the political intricacies of the Nazi regime than the others, explained the infighting among the organizations for power and dominance.

From Nazi Saboteurs by Samantha Seiple

Related Words

• fighting
• rumble
• struggle