Balkanize

American  

[bawl-kuh-nahyz] / ˈbɔl kəˌnaɪz /

especially British, Balkanise

verb (used with object)

Balkanized, Balkanizing

1. to divide (a country, territory, etc.) into small, quarrelsome, ineffectual states.

2. (often lowercase) to divide (groups, areas, etc.) into contending and usually ineffectual factions.

   a movement to balkanize minority voters.

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Balkanize British  

/ ˈbɔːlkəˌnaɪz /

verb

1. (tr) to divide (a territory) into small warring states

2. to divide (a group or organization) into small factions

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Other Word Forms

• Balkanism noun
• Balkanization noun
• Balkanized adjective

Etymology

Origin of Balkanize

First recorded in 1915–20; Balkan + -ize