Factionalism: meaning, definitions and examples

Can also refer to divisive behavior that creates groups or factions within a larger group, often with negative implications.

• His insistence on favoring his own group led to widespread factionalism in the workplace
• The team's cohesion was broken by increasing factionalism and disputes

Less common but similarly denotes the practice or state of forming factions, typically resulting in division or conflict. May carry a slightly formal or academic tone.

• Factionism has spread rapidly, resulting in fragmented loyalties within the political party
• Investigators noted a rise in factionism as a key factor in the organization's decline

Refers specifically to the splitting or diverging within an organization or group that leads to a lack of unity. Good for describing conflicts within a specific context.

• The firm lost many of its clients because of internal division
• They struggled to maintain operations due to severe internal division among the leadership team

Specifically refers to divisions within a political party or organization. Implies that internal conflicts and differing perspectives are leading to a fragmented group.

• Party factionalism has weakened their chances in the upcoming election
• The rise of party factionalism signals trouble for the party's future cohesion