disunion

noun

dis·​union (ˌ)dis-ˈyü-nyən 

dish-

1

: the termination of union : separation

2

: disunity

disunionist

(ˌ)dis-ˈyü-nyə-nist 

dish-

noun

Synonyms

• conflict
• disaccord
• discord
• discordance
• discordancy
• disharmony
• dissension
• dissention
• dissent
• dissidence
• dissonance
• disunity
• division
• friction
• infighting
• inharmony
• schism
• strife
• variance
• war
• warfare

Examples of disunion in a Sentence

in the 19th century the volatile issue of slavery resulted in the disunion of several Protestant denominations

Recent Examples on the Web

Yet the very neat symmetry that Merry highlights in the 1850s — with radicals in both South Carolina and Massachusetts rejecting compromise and opting for disunion or even war — is precisely what’s missing today. —Richard Kreitner, Washington Post, 13 July 2024

Liberal democracies would further descend into disunion and thereby lose their ability to shape global rules and norms. —G. John Ikenberry, Foreign Affairs, 9 June 2020

By this time, the founders had already witnessed firsthand the deadly centrifugal forces of disunion acting upon the Continental Congress. —Time, 3 July 2023

George Washington, John Adams, James Madison, and the rest accomplished these stunning feats not only in spite of the tactical advantages of the British army and navy, but also in spite of the overwhelming centrifugal forces of disunion and civil wars that were acting on them every day. —Time, 3 July 2023

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

disunion

noun

dis·​union dish-ˈü-nyən 

(ˈ)dis-ˈyü-

: the ending of union : separation