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
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
Shortly after the president joined Israel’s ongoing attacks on Iranian military targets, the load-bearing pillars of Trump’s electoral base crumbled — perhaps irreparably — internecine political combat spilled into the public square, and Trump’s hold over the GOP began to slip.
Doesn’t ring a bell?
—Noah Rothman, National Review, 10 July 2025
In recent weeks, U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to annex allies, bargained Ukrainian sovereignty with Russia behind Kyiv’s back, and launched an internecine trade war.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 2 May 2025
Despite all of his ambition as a reformer, Francis often had to battle a secret internecine war with Vatican bureaucrats who tried undermining his efforts.
—Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for internecine
Sean Durns, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
Shortly after the president joined Israel’s ongoing attacks on Iranian military targets, the load-bearing pillars of Trump’s electoral base crumbled — perhaps irreparably — internecine political combat spilled into the public square, and Trump’s hold over the GOP began to slip.
Doesn’t ring a bell?
—Noah Rothman, National Review, 10 July 2025
In recent weeks, U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to annex allies, bargained Ukrainian sovereignty with Russia behind Kyiv’s back, and launched an internecine trade war.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 2 May 2025
Despite all of his ambition as a reformer, Francis often had to battle a secret internecine war with Vatican bureaucrats who tried undermining his efforts.
—Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for internecine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for internecine
Adjective
-
This is bloody and chaotic, and reasonably interesting.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Directed by Tatsuya Yoshihara with a screenplay by Hiroshi Seko, the movie follows Denji as his encounter with café worker Reze leads to a clash between intimate connection and bloody chaos.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
In Vincent Must Die, random strangers have suddenly started attacking Vincent with murderous intent.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
31 Oct. 2025
-
And its pigtailed protagonist — to many, as recognizable and beloved a horror villain as Freddie Krueger or Jason Voorhees — is little Rhoda, whose mother (Nancy Kelly) discovers over the course of the film is actually a murderous sociopath.—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Over time, this computer becomes a deadly antagonist of the astronauts on the ship.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said before the Monday celebration that after a difficult year, which included deadly wildfires, Los Angeles deserves something positive.—
Steve Futterman,
NPR,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Internecine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/internecine. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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