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
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
Forgery is a really complicated, even internecine, phenomenon.
—JSTOR Daily, 16 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
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
Ben Smith, semafor.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Forgery is a really complicated, even internecine, phenomenon.
—JSTOR Daily, 16 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
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
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Responding officers found bloody items in a nearby dumpster and spoke with neighbors who recalled seeing Ali before the police arrived.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
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The killings came amid a wave of bloody violence tied to drug trafficking and organized crime, which has surged across Ecuador in recent years.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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After the attack, authorities in New South Wales (NSW) drew a link between the mass shooting and pro-Palestinian protests held weekly since Israel launched retaliatory attacks on Hamas in Gaza for its murderous assault on Israelis on October 7, 2023.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN Money,
13 Jan. 2026
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This is about the population that is stuck between a murderous criminal mafia that has taken over the country and, on the other hand, Israel and the United States, who follow their own interests.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The Burbank Police Department also shared a security camera video from the deadly shootout.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
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Rock jetties can be deadly in such conditions, stay off the rocks.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Internecine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/internecine. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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