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.
Hostin, however, disagreed with Behar’s assertion, arguing that the infighting was necessary for the sake of holding leaders accountable. Heather Hunter, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 19 Mar. 2025 Democrats should stop all of the infighting, and Republicans should start doing what’s right and not worrying about being in President Donald Trump’s good graces. Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025 The coalition will be under pressure to deliver results and avoid the infighting that has felled previous governments. Reuters, NBC News, 28 Feb. 2025 The election took place seven months earlier than originally planned after Scholz’s unpopular coalition collapsed in November, three years into a term that was increasingly marred by infighting. Vanessa Gera, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Infighting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infighting. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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