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

There will be a lot of infighting and arguing over what happened and why that is. — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 4 Nov. 2026

The incoming Democratic majority will inherit a board that has spent much of the past two years embroiled in political infighting, leadership turnover and lawsuits. — Charlotte Observer, 4 Nov. 2026

Johnson's tenure leading the lower chamber has been fraught with GOP infighting that was made more complicated by the president's shifting demands. — CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026

The late-stage infighting comes as Democrats look to drive turnout among Black and Jewish voters in key strongholds. — Joey Cappelletti, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 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