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
-
After that day, when I was given the book which promised to answer all of my bloody questions—my long-suffering American Girl doll went into the closet.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 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,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
It’s plagued by murderous demons.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
31 Oct. 2025
-
In Vincent Must Die, random strangers have suddenly started attacking Vincent with murderous intent.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The section of the Guadalupe River where the camp is located has long been prone to deadly flash flooding.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Nov. 2025
-
The deadliest assault on a school occurred in 2014 when Taliban gunmen killed 154 people, mostly children, at an army-run school in Peshawar.—
NPR,
NPR,
11 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Internecine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/internecine. Accessed 27 Nov. 2025.
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