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

Shocking eliminations, infighting on the judges' panel, and rivers of tears led to this moment. —Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Nov. 2025

The State Department’s decision comes amid intensifying political infighting and maneuvering by members of the ruling transitional presidential council to oust Prime Minister Alix Dider Fils-Aimé, less than there months before the transition is scheduled to end. —Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 25 Nov. 2025

The effort came after Missouri lawmakers had tried, and failed, to pass similar legislation amid bitter infighting among Senate Republicans over whether gas station slot machines, which exist in a murky legal area, should also be regulated. —Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 24 Nov. 2025

Democrats won a string of victories over the past few weeks—but party infighting threatens to distract from wins. —Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025

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