as in bloody
formal
marked by usually mutual slaughter or destruction
a brutal internecine war/battle internecine feuds a political party that has suffered because of bitter internecine rivalries
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Recent Examples of internecine
The old divisions between Catholic and Protestant communities fuel ongoing gang wars and internecine neighborhood violence, and crime families with ancient roots cause mayhem in the scuffle for territory and dominance.
—
Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 27 Nov. 2025
The Council on Foreign Relations currently tracks almost 30 conflict zones around the world, including both internecine and international struggles.
—Elizabeth D. Samet, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
Though Xi, 72, retains a firm grip on power, the lack of successors has raised fears of an internecine struggle, The New York Times reported.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 24 Oct. 2025
While it is largely remembered today as an Arab revolt against British rule, it was also marked by internecine violence, with Husseini using it as an opportunity to consolidate control and murder those who threatened his rule.
—Sean Durns, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for internecine
Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 27 Nov. 2025
The Council on Foreign Relations currently tracks almost 30 conflict zones around the world, including both internecine and international struggles.
—Elizabeth D. Samet, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
Though Xi, 72, retains a firm grip on power, the lack of successors has raised fears of an internecine struggle, The New York Times reported.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 24 Oct. 2025
While it is largely remembered today as an Arab revolt against British rule, it was also marked by internecine violence, with Husseini using it as an opportunity to consolidate control and murder those who threatened his rule.
—Sean Durns, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for internecine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for internecine
Adjective
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The fight got bloody as the teams composed of older picklers exchanged taunts after some players were accused of not playing by the rules, not being able to take the heat in the kitchen.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Feb. 2026
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The officers found condoms, a knife, lubricant, razor blades, bloody tissues, a Faraday bag commonly used to block electronic signals and a boarding pass for Pysher's flight in his motel room.—
Austin Turner,
CBS News,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Large swaths of territory in our region, including large parts of Mexico, really large parts of Mexico, have been controlled by murderous drug cartels.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
25 Feb. 2026
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For years, large swaths of territory in our region, including large parts of Mexico, really large parts of Mexico, have been controlled by murderous drug cartels.—
TIME Staff,
Time,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Washington — The House of Representatives is set to consider whether a collision avoidance system that supporters say could have prevented last year’s deadly midair collision near Washington should be required on every plane in the US.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
24 Feb. 2026
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That pause came six days after yet another judge vacated Williams’ lengthy sentence for the deadly 2001 shooting on the Santee campus, a decision that could clear the way for his release.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Internecine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/internecine. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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