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
Sally Abou Aljoud, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024
The destruction of Shiite towns and cities, and the likely sectarian tensions that will follow the war, mean that the whole of the Shiite community in Lebanon will need Hezbollah’s assistance and what remains of its social institutions to provide in the absence of state capacity.
—Mohanad Hage Ali, Foreign Affairs, 1 Nov. 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
World & Nation Fears of sectarian tensions rise in Lebanon as Israel expands strikes
Oct. 18, 2024
Her brother was born when Mhaibib and other villages in southern Lebanon were under Israeli occupation.
—Sally Abou Aljoud, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024
The destruction of Shiite towns and cities, and the likely sectarian tensions that will follow the war, mean that the whole of the Shiite community in Lebanon will need Hezbollah’s assistance and what remains of its social institutions to provide in the absence of state capacity.
—Mohanad Hage Ali, Foreign Affairs, 1 Nov. 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 18 Nov. 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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