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
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of internecine
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
In Syria, internecine warfare has already emerged between Kurds in the northeast, former President Assad’s Alawite sect, and transitional President Ahmad al-Sharaa, who led the organization HTS, which the United States designated a terrorist group.
—Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for internecine
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
In Syria, internecine warfare has already emerged between Kurds in the northeast, former President Assad’s Alawite sect, and transitional President Ahmad al-Sharaa, who led the organization HTS, which the United States designated a terrorist group.
—Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for internecine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for internecine
Adjective
-
While Mehta treated Hampton’s bloody nose and the physio assessed Greenwood, Bronze grabbed the physio tape and strapped her own leg.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Most allow some violent content but place restrictions on especially gory and bloody videos and restrict such content from younger users.—
Hadas Gold,
CNN Money,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Set two years after the little robot lady went on a murderous rampage and was subsequently destroyed, M3GAN’s creator Gemma (Williams) has become a high-profile author and advocate for government oversight of AI.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Still, this 55-room ski-in, ski-out resort’s dramatic Alpine scenery would add a new edge with wintry spots for murderous mischief.—
Spencer Whaley,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Last week's deadly shooting also heightens concerns of university safety protocols and security at public events.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
-
The mid-air collision sent both aircraft hurtling into the Potomac River and left no survivors, becoming the deadliest airline crash in the country since 2001.—
Jillian Frankel,
PEOPLE,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Internecine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/internecine. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share