infighting

[ in-fahy-ting ]

noun

1. fighting fighting at close range.
2. fighting fighting between rivals, people closely associated, members of a group, etc.; internecine contention.
3. free-for-all fighting. fighting.

infighting

/ ˈɪnˌfaɪtɪŋ /

noun

1. boxing combat at close quarters in which proper blows are inhibited and the fighters try to wear down each other's strength
2. intense competition, as between members of the same organization, esp when kept secret from outsiders

Derived Forms

• ˈinˌfighter, noun

Other Words From

• infighter noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of infighting¹

First recorded in 1810–20; in- ¹ + fighting

Example Sentences

In the wake of the Democrats' total collapse in the 2024 election, losing the House, the Senate and the presidency, the party has erupted into infighting between its establishment and and more populist wings.

From Salon

The SNP's Westminster leader Stephen Flynn said party infighting over his bid to stand at the 2026 Scottish Parliament election has been unedifying.

From BBC

If Trump’s first term is any indicator, the next four years will be an unmitigated mess of infighting, corruption, revolving door staff, facile demands and fragile egotism.

From Los Angeles Times

There has already been much infighting over what lost Harris the election, about demographics and trust in the system, about running an uninspiring platform against a fascist one, about the economy and inflation resentment.

From Slate

An unnamed former Biden aide told Politico this week that former President Barack Obama’s advisers were to blame because they “publicly encouraged Democratic infighting to push Joe Biden out, didn’t even want Kamala Harris as the nominee”.

From BBC

Related Words

• fighting
• rumble
• struggle