infighting

noun

in·​fight·​ing ˈin-ˌfī-tiŋ How to pronounce infighting (audio)
1
: prolonged and often bitter dissension or rivalry among members of a group or organization
bureaucratic infighting
2
: rough-and-tumble fighting
3
: fighting or boxing at close quarters
infight intransitive verb
infighter noun

Examples of infighting in a Sentence

continued infighting has just completely robbed that political action committee of its effectiveness
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The story told of the infighting, scandals and crises of faith at the Vatican after the pope’s unexpected death — a compelling if hardly uncontroversial yarn. Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Oct. 2024 In the weeks since El Mayo’s arrest, Sinaloa has exploded in a new phase of cartel infighting. Nathaniel Parish Flannery, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024 While the drug business runs smoothest when there is peace, occasional spasms of deadly violence from cartel infighting have long been a way of life here — earning the city a treacherous reputation. Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 9 Oct. 2024 It is seen as several months ahead of the competition, and prospective employees are often willing to put up with the apparent drama and infighting to be part of that. Will Knight, WIRED, 7 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for infighting 

Word History

First Known Use

1816, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of infighting was in 1816

Dictionary Entries Near infighting

Cite this Entry

“Infighting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infighting. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on infighting

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!