sec·tar·i·an
sek-ˈter-ē-ən 
1
: of, relating to, or characteristic of a sect or sectarian
2
: limited in character or scope : parochial
1
: an adherent of a sect
2
: a narrow or bigoted person
Synonyms
Examples of sectarian in a Sentence
Adjective
The country was split along sectarian lines.
there are people on both the left and the right who have staked out unyielding sectarian positions in this debate
Noun
charged that the work of Congress has been stymied by sectarians who are indifferent to reason and intolerant of compromise
Recent Examples on the Web
Annabel Gutterman, TIME, 10 Dec. 2024
The latter refers to the sectarian bloodletting that followed Iraqi strongman Saddam Hussein’s removal.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024
Foreign Affairs, 22 May 2015
Both sides insist the other initiated the initial volley of gunfire that killed four agents and six sectarians.
—Joshua Alston, Variety, 12 Apr. 2023
See all Example Sentences for sectarian 
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Adjective
For the three months that followed, the 16-year-old and her family, along with thousands of other Muslims, lived in fear as sectarian violence broke out and transformed the country.
—Annabel Gutterman, TIME, 10 Dec. 2024
The latter refers to the sectarian bloodletting that followed Iraqi strongman Saddam Hussein’s removal.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024
Noun
People want to get rid of religious parties, people want to put sectarians behind to build an Iraq for all Iraqis.
—Foreign Affairs, 22 May 2015
Both sides insist the other initiated the initial volley of gunfire that killed four agents and six sectarians.
—Joshua Alston, Variety, 12 Apr. 2023
See all Example Sentences for sectarian
Dictionary Entries Near sectarian
Cite this Entry
“Sectarian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sectarian. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sectarian
1 of 2 adjective
sec·tar·i·an
sek-ˈter-ē-ən
1
: of, relating to, or characteristic of a sect or sectarian
2
: not willing to consider other points of view
a sectarian mind
sectarian
2 of 2 noun1
: a member of a sect
2
: a person who won't consider the ideas or opinions of others
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