sectarian

1 of 2

adjective

sec·​tar·​i·​an sek-ˈter-ē-ən How to pronounce sectarian (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or characteristic of a sect or sectarian
2
: limited in character or scope : parochial
sectarianism noun

sectarian

2 of 2

noun

1
: an adherent of a sect
2
: a narrow or bigoted person

Examples of sectarian in a Sentence

Adjective The country was split along sectarian lines. there are people on both the left and the right who have staked out unyielding sectarian positions in this debate Noun charged that the work of Congress has been stymied by sectarians who are indifferent to reason and intolerant of compromise
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Nasrallah’s death has led to fears of a reopening of sectarian violence in Lebanon, with shopkeepers and restaurants in Beirut closing until further notice, the New York Times reported. Brady Knox, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 29 Sep. 2024 Hezbollah became so powerful in part because the state was so weak, and riven by sectarian divisions. Robin Wright, The New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2024
Noun
People want to get rid of religious parties, people want to put sectarians behind to build an Iraq for all Iraqis. Foreign Affairs, 22 May 2015 Both sides insist the other initiated the initial volley of gunfire that killed four agents and six sectarians. Joshua Alston, Variety, 12 Apr. 2023 See all Example Sentences for sectarian 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sectarian.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1649, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1819, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sectarian was in 1649

Dictionary Entries Near sectarian

Cite this Entry

“Sectarian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sectarian. Accessed 15 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

sectarian

1 of 2 adjective
sec·​tar·​i·​an sek-ˈter-ē-ən How to pronounce sectarian (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or characteristic of a sect or sectarian
2
: not willing to consider other points of view
a sectarian mind
sectarianism noun

sectarian

2 of 2 noun
1
: a member of a sect
2
: a person who won't consider the ideas or opinions of others

More from Merriam-Webster on sectarian

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