infighting

noun

in·​fight·​ing ˈin-ˌfī-tiŋ 

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

ˈin-ˌfīt 

intransitive verb

infighter

ˈin-ˌfī-tər 

noun

Synonyms

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

Examples of infighting in a Sentence

continued infighting has just completely robbed that political action committee of its effectiveness

Recent Examples on the Web

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

Word History

First Known Use

1816, in the meaning defined at sense 3