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
After World War II, the United States crafted a network of alliances in the region, hoping to keep Soviet expansion at bay, entrench its own military presence—particularly in East Asia—and curb internecine tensions among its partners.
—
Ely Ratner, Foreign Affairs, 27 May 2025
Among the many internecine feuds dividing the GOP on Capitol Hill at the moment:
Fiscal conservatives won’t support a budget reconciliation bill that adds to the deficit, but moderates won’t touch big drivers of the federal budget, such as Medicaid.
—Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 8 May 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
Ely Ratner, Foreign Affairs, 27 May 2025
Among the many internecine feuds dividing the GOP on Capitol Hill at the moment:
Fiscal conservatives won’t support a budget reconciliation bill that adds to the deficit, but moderates won’t touch big drivers of the federal budget, such as Medicaid.
—Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 8 May 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
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Africa’s transformation proved far bloodier than many had hoped, yet Mamdani still insists that the continent’s independence leaders have something to teach the world.—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
6 Oct. 2025
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The film had its world premiere in September at the Toronto International Film Festival as part of its Midnight Madness section, which is largely home to bloody horror and wildly NSFW fare.—
William Earl,
Variety,
6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Those settlers managed to make an underground river with murderous maggots on unstable terrain into a tourist attraction in record time.—
Ann Patchett,
New Yorker,
29 Sep. 2025
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The stories of the state's historic lodges are full of resilience, overcoming natural and economic disasters, and in one case, a brush with a murderous gang of bank robbers.—
Michael Salerno,
AZCentral.com,
24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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In April, Gumrukcu’s lavish life came crashing back to reality when he was found guilty of orchestrating a deadly hit on a former business partner who threatened to unveil the slippery Los Angeles businessman’s fraudulent past.—
Sean Neumann,
PEOPLE,
7 Oct. 2025
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What started as a joyful dance party on the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah suddenly became one of the first targets and deadliest sites of a surprise terror attack by Hamas.—
Gaby Vinick,
ABC News,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Internecine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/internecine. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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