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factionalism

factionalism

2 8.8
Small groups inside a larger group compete and disagree, causing conflict
  • noun
  • /ˈfækʃənəlɪzəm/
translation icon : faccionalismo
  • Political factionalism within the party led to a split that weakened their chances in the election.
  • political factionalism
  • internal factionalism
  • factionalism in the party

Examples

  • Slaves were released, buildings were destroyed, and political factionalism again delayed important community decisions.

    Academic text (1991)
  • In Minnesota and Wisconsin, Indian timber was exploited by individuals playing on the intratribal factionalism of Chippewas and Menominees.

    Academic text (1995)
  • Given the various personalities, cultural differences, and other factors, such factionalism is not unusual.

    Academic text (1994)
  • For good reason, the Druze have always been known for their factionalism, particularly in Israel.

    Academic text (1993)
  • Matters were not helped by factionalism within the Gaullist camp itself.

    Academic text (1998)
  • The 1930s saw the growth of factionalism in the Lumbee community.

    Academic text (1999)
  • In this instance, factionalism led to a decisive cleavage within the community.

    Academic text (1990)
  • In fact, increased voter participation, in some ways, only intensified political factionalism.

    Academic text (1998)
  • However, the Lithuanian-American women's movement also suffered from internal factionalism related to both political and ethnic issues.

    Academic text (1998)
  • As already noted, the DPP was plagued by factionalism, and recruitment and fundraising were not going well.

    Academic text (1993)

Synonyms

conflict
vsfactionalism
397 2.3

A serious disagreement between people or groups over ideas

is about division into competing smaller groups rather than any disagreement
division
vsfactionalism
138 4.2

A strong disagreement that separates people in a group

is about smaller competing groups as the result, not just disagreement
divide
vsfactionalism
110 6.0

A strong disagreement between groups that causes tension

is the internal split into rival subgroups rather than general disagreement
clash
vsfactionalism
105 3.2

A short conflict between people or groups

is the ongoing pattern of subgroup competition, not a single argument
split
vsfactionalism
100 4.2

A division in a group that makes two opposing parts

is the ongoing state of groups within an organization competing and disagreeing
rift
vsfactionalism
34 5.4

A serious break between people or groups that causes conflict

is the wider ongoing condition of multiple small groups competing, not just one break
infighting
vsfactionalism
26 6.0

Conflict between people in the same group that is often hidden

is the wider situation where this rivalry leads to formal competing subgroups
discord
vsfactionalism
26 5.6

Strong disagreement between people or groups

is specifically about formation of rival small groups rather than general disagreement
schism
vsfactionalism
18 8.7

A serious split in a group when people have different beliefs or opinions

is broader, covering any internal competition, not only serious belief-based splits
dissension
vsfactionalism
16 7.5

A disagreement and arguing between people who must work together

is about groups forming and competing, not only disagreements among members
divisiveness
vsfactionalism
15 7.0

A quality that makes people strongly disagree and split into groups

is the resulting situation of rival smaller groups, not just the causing quality
fragmentation
vsfactionalism
  • Specialized
9 6.8

When a group or society breaks into smaller parts and loses shared values

is about active rivalry and competing subgroups, not just social disintegration
disunity
vsfactionalism
4 6.4

A situation when people or groups do not agree

is specifically the formation of smaller competing groups, not only lack of unity
house divided
vsfactionalism
3 7.0

A group whose members strongly disagree about important issues

is the ongoing situation of subgroup competition rather than just being split
balkanization
vsfactionalism
  • Literature
3 8.9

The division of a larger group or area into smaller hostile parts

is the general state of internal competition, not limited to hostile partitioning
circular firing squad
vsfactionalism
  • Literature
2 8.8

A situation where group members blame or attack each other and harm the group's chances

is the state where those internal attacks result in formed rival subgroups
disunion
vsfactionalism
1 8.1

A situation when people or groups are not united

is the ongoing situation of internal groups competing, not just a split
fractionalization
vsfactionalism
  • Specialized
9.0

The breaking of a group or society into smaller, competing groups

is the resulting state of ongoing competition among smaller groups rather than the process
factiousness
vsfactionalism
9.9

A tendency to make members of a group argue and become divided

is the state of formed competing groups, not only the tendency to cause division
rifting
vsfactionalism
8.4

An action that causes a serious split between people or groups

is the lasting situation of competing subgroups, not only the act of causing it
confliction
vsfactionalism
7.5

A disagreement between ideas, people, or interests

is the development of separate competing groups rather than mere disagreement
dividedness
vsfactionalism
7.2

A feeling of strong conflict inside a person about two different loyalties

is specifically about groups forming rival subgroups, not internal mixed loyalties
inharmony
vsfactionalism
8.5

A feeling of conflict inside a person

is about formal subgroup competition and division, not just lack of harmony

Antonyms

217 2.8

People or parts joined and acting as one

14 3.2

A pleasing arrangement of parts that go well together, like colors or sounds

How Divided

schism
18 8.7
polarization
  • Literature
25 7.2
factionalism
2 8.8
disagreement
268 1.6
harmony
146 2.5

Surface Forms

factionalism singular
factionalisms plural

Morphology

factionalism = factional (transparent) = faction + al + ism

The word is regularly formed from the adjective 'factional' with the noun-forming suffix '-ism'.

Etymology

The word factionalism comes from faction, meaning a small group inside a larger group, and that goes back to the Latin root facere meaning 'to make', the same idea you see in factory where things are 'made'. So factionalism is when people form small groups that compete or fight inside a bigger group.