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
Just a few months later, at Turning Point’s AmericaFest gathering in Phoenix, that unity collapsed into an internecine feud between rival factions vying to define Kirk’s legacy and steer the future of right-wing politics.
—
Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 22 Dec. 2025
The old divisions between Catholic and Protestant communities fuel ongoing gang wars and internecine neighborhood violence, and crime families with ancient roots cause mayhem in the scuffle for territory and dominance.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 27 Nov. 2025
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
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
See All Example Sentences for internecine
Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 22 Dec. 2025
The old divisions between Catholic and Protestant communities fuel ongoing gang wars and internecine neighborhood violence, and crime families with ancient roots cause mayhem in the scuffle for territory and dominance.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 27 Nov. 2025
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
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
See All Example Sentences for internecine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for internecine
Adjective
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Bethenny Frankel had a bloody mishap during an Instagram beauty routine, Billy Joel’s daughter shared encouraging news about his neurological condition, and Tom Brady was spotted with a new companion.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
16 Mar. 2026
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Jordan, meanwhile, said that shooting the film's most intense scenes – this is a bloody vampire film, after all – was surprisingly fun.—
David Morgan,
CBS News,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The spirit of the endeavor can forgive a lot, with some clumsy filmmaking that doesn’t seem to be an intentional homage, such as a slapdash set-up to Helen’s murderous ways and a slightly tacked-on feeling opening involving a film critic who has been a thorn in Jack’s side.—
Stephen Saito,
Variety,
15 Mar. 2026
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After a first murderous high, Green spends the rest of the film chasing that euphoria through a recognizable 20th century America braced for inevitable collapse.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The drink contained nearly five times what is considered a deadly amount of the opioid, court filings showed.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
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The strike came hours after Afghan officials said the two sides exchanged fire along their common border, killing four people in Afghanistan, as the deadliest fighting between the neighbors in years entered a third week.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Internecine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/internecine. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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