infighting

noun

in·​fight·​ing ˈin-ˌfī-tiŋ 

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

ˈin-ˌfīt 

intransitive verb

infighter

ˈin-ˌfī-tər 

noun

Synonyms of infighting

• discord
• strife
• friction
• conflict
• discordance
• war
• schism
• warfare
• discordancy
• dissent
• division

Examples of infighting in a Sentence

continued infighting has just completely robbed that political action committee of its effectiveness

Recent Examples on the Web

Those plans were later overtaken by corporate infighting, lawsuits among family members and executives, and declining finances that ultimately led the gallery to shutter after nearly 80 years. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 6 July 2026

Democratic infighting explodes as congresswoman defends socialists from party backlash. — FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026

The party infighting has fueled fresh fears from moderate Republicans in Congress about exactly how much the GOP can get done before the midterms, with lawmakers set to go on an extended recess at the end of next month. — Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 30 June 2026

In 1975, Ellenberger, Nicholson and other lesbians in a group known as the Drastic Dykes split from the CWC due to infighting. — Laura Horne, Charlotte Observer, 30 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1816, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Rhymes for infighting

• alighting
• backbiting
• bullfighting
• daylighting
• delighting
• exciting
• firefighting
• handwriting
• highlighting
• igniting
• inciting
• indicting