sectionalism
noun
sec·tion·al·ism
ˈsek-sh(ə-)nə-ˌli-zəm 
: an exaggerated devotion to the interests of a region
Examples of sectionalism in a Sentence
a nation divided by sectionalism
Recent Examples on the Web
This geographic sectionalism has become so severe that Republicans often do not bother fielding candidates in urban legislative districts.
—
Jonathan Rodden, Foreign Affairs, 20 Apr. 2020
The pandemic has both clarified and exacerbated the already high cost of having a party system shaped by geographic sectionalism.
—Jonathan Rodden, Foreign Affairs, 20 Apr. 2020
Economic differences, with the North’s industrialized model versus the South’s agrarian focus, deepened the sectionalism.
—Letter Writers, Twin Cities, 1 Jan. 2024
In the antebellum United States, Northerners, and especially northern abolitionists, drew a contrast between (northern) nationalism and (southern) sectionalism.
—Jill Lepore, Foreign Affairs, 5 Feb. 2019
While the Anti-Federalists rendered some devastating critiques of the Constitution, anti-federalism that leads to sectionalism or regionalism is no more appropriate for this moment than federalism.
—Siva Vaidhyanathan, The New Republic, 7 Dec. 2022
Before 2018, Texas schools even taught that states’ rights and sectionalism—not slavery—were the leading causes of the Civil War.
—Maia Niguel Hoskin, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2021
Teaching Tolerance said this teaching obscures the institution of slavery’s influence on factors like sectionalism, states' rights and economic disagreements.
—al, 1 Mar. 2020
Alabama’s standards require students to identify sectionalism, slavery, states’ rights and economic disagreements as the reasons why Alabama succeeded from the union.
—al, 1 Mar. 2020
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.
Jonathan Rodden, Foreign Affairs, 20 Apr. 2020
The pandemic has both clarified and exacerbated the already high cost of having a party system shaped by geographic sectionalism.
—Jonathan Rodden, Foreign Affairs, 20 Apr. 2020
Economic differences, with the North’s industrialized model versus the South’s agrarian focus, deepened the sectionalism.
—Letter Writers, Twin Cities, 1 Jan. 2024
In the antebellum United States, Northerners, and especially northern abolitionists, drew a contrast between (northern) nationalism and (southern) sectionalism.
—Jill Lepore, Foreign Affairs, 5 Feb. 2019
While the Anti-Federalists rendered some devastating critiques of the Constitution, anti-federalism that leads to sectionalism or regionalism is no more appropriate for this moment than federalism.
—Siva Vaidhyanathan, The New Republic, 7 Dec. 2022
Before 2018, Texas schools even taught that states’ rights and sectionalism—not slavery—were the leading causes of the Civil War.
—Maia Niguel Hoskin, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2021
Teaching Tolerance said this teaching obscures the institution of slavery’s influence on factors like sectionalism, states' rights and economic disagreements.
—al, 1 Mar. 2020
Alabama’s standards require students to identify sectionalism, slavery, states’ rights and economic disagreements as the reasons why Alabama succeeded from the union.
—al, 1 Mar. 2020
Cite this Entry
“Sectionalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sectionalism. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sectionalism
noun
sec·tion·al·ism
ˈsek-shnə-ˌliz-əm
-shən-ᵊl-ˌiz-
: too much devotion to the interests of a region
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share