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.
Critics have argued the party doesn't have time for infighting while fending off President Donald Trump's second administration. Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025 Defense & National Security The Big Story New Pentagon senior staff named after major office exodus The Pentagon on Friday announced four new senior advisers for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth following front office infighting where five officials were pushed out or left. Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 25 Apr. 2025 The challenges come amid a broader debate among Democrats over how to respond to the Trump administration and reach voters after its bruising losses in 2024, and if the party needs younger leaders to revitalize it or whether Democrats should avoid the risk of infighting. Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 25 Apr. 2025 Coral Gables residents cast their ballots Tuesday in a runoff election that’s likely to tip the scales on the City Commission, which has been the site of infighting and split votes for the past two years. Tess Riski, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Infighting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infighting. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!