Sectarian
adjective
Related to or involving a religious or political group and the strong support of its interests, especially to the exclusion of other beliefs or interests.
Sectarian strife often leads to violence in society.
Often appears as...
- sectarian strife
- sectarian violence
noun
A person who strongly supports the interests and beliefs of their own sect or group, often to the point of prejudice and exclusion of others.
He was known as a sectarian who refused to listen to others' viewpoints.
Often appears as...
- sectarian attitudes
- sectarian behavior
adjective
Related to or involving a religious or political group and the strong support of its interests, especially to the exclusion of other beliefs or interests.
Sectarian strife often leads to violence in society.
Often appears as...
- sectarian strife
- sectarian violence
noun
A person who strongly supports the interests and beliefs of their own sect or group, often to the point of prejudice and exclusion of others.
He was known as a sectarian who refused to listen to others' viewpoints.
Often appears as...
- sectarian attitudes
- sectarian behavior
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Conflict Potential
The word often implies potential for conflict between groups with different beliefs or practices.
The new policy aggravated sectarian divisions in the community.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Undertone
Usually carries a negative connotation, indicating disapproval of the resulting division.
Sectarian tensions overshadowed the national celebration.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Always Violent
Though associated with conflict, it doesn't always involve violence, but can include attitudes and discrimination.
Sectarian discrimination in hiring practices causes concern.
Compare with
bigotdogmaticexclusivismfanaticalintolerantpartisanprejudice
Never forget "Sectarian"
Humans forget easily. That's why you should download WordUp: Smart reminders, word games, AI practice, and much more!
Video examples
Iraq in America PIPE...
a fact of where their unit will be going and what missions they think they're going to be doing and what the unit will expect to see when they get there sectarian violence that's what IEDs and all of those things that you see and read about every day it's a thousand
Video examples
Richard Ledgett: The NSA...
and so they are basically learning how to do jihad and have expressed intent to go out and do that later on in their home countries. You've got places like Iraq, which is suffering from a high level of sectarian violence, again a breeding ground for terrorism.
Video examples
The unexpected...
We hear about sectarianism and all this horrible negative news that comes to us all the time. What we're not hearing is what are the people, the everyday people, thinking? What are they aspiring to? Let's give them the means, let's give them the words.
Video examples
How Syria's architecture...
and unprecedented sectarian hatred? There were many reasons that had led to the war -- social, political and economic. They all have played their role. But I believe there is one key reason that has been overlooked and which is important to analyze,
Video examples
Samantha Power: Shaking...
The issues were, of course, ethnic sectarian violence. He was the first person to negotiate with the Khmer Rouge. Talk about evil prevailing. I mean, here he was in the room with the embodiment of evil in Cambodia. He negotiates with the Serbs.
Video examples
Rory Stewart: Why...
and respect their neighbors, freedom will bring peace. Distinguished academics at the same time argued that democracies had this incredible range of side benefits. They would bring prosperity, security, overcome sectarian violence,
Video examples
Why democracy matters -...
neighbors freedom will bring peace distinguished academics at the same time argued that democracies had these incredible range of side benefits they would bring prosperity security overcomes sectarian violence ensure that
Video examples
Bobby Ghosh: Why global...
But if you look closely, they're not fighting a global jihad. They're fighting battles over much narrower issues. Usually it has to do with ethnicity or race or sectarianism, or it's a power struggle.
Video examples
Lesley Hazleton: The...
He'd be appalled at the repression of half the population because of their gender. He'd be torn apart by the bitter divisiveness of sectarianism. He'd call out terrorism for what it is,
Video examples
Karen Armstrong: 2008...
self-indulgent guesswork about matters that nobody can be certain of one way or the other, but which makes people quarrelsome and stupidly sectarian.
Video examples
Iraq in America PIPE...
a fact of where their unit will be going and what missions they think they're going to be doing and what the unit will expect to see when they get there sectarian violence that's what IEDs and all of those things that you see and read about every day it's a thousand
Video examples
Richard Ledgett: The NSA...
and so they are basically learning how to do jihad and have expressed intent to go out and do that later on in their home countries. You've got places like Iraq, which is suffering from a high level of sectarian violence, again a breeding ground for terrorism.
Video examples
The unexpected...
We hear about sectarianism and all this horrible negative news that comes to us all the time. What we're not hearing is what are the people, the everyday people, thinking? What are they aspiring to? Let's give them the means, let's give them the words.
Video examples
How Syria's architecture...
and unprecedented sectarian hatred? There were many reasons that had led to the war -- social, political and economic. They all have played their role. But I believe there is one key reason that has been overlooked and which is important to analyze,
Video examples
Samantha Power: Shaking...
The issues were, of course, ethnic sectarian violence. He was the first person to negotiate with the Khmer Rouge. Talk about evil prevailing. I mean, here he was in the room with the embodiment of evil in Cambodia. He negotiates with the Serbs.
Video examples
Rory Stewart: Why...
and respect their neighbors, freedom will bring peace. Distinguished academics at the same time argued that democracies had this incredible range of side benefits. They would bring prosperity, security, overcome sectarian violence,
Video examples
Why democracy matters -...
neighbors freedom will bring peace distinguished academics at the same time argued that democracies had these incredible range of side benefits they would bring prosperity security overcomes sectarian violence ensure that
Video examples
Bobby Ghosh: Why global...
But if you look closely, they're not fighting a global jihad. They're fighting battles over much narrower issues. Usually it has to do with ethnicity or race or sectarianism, or it's a power struggle.
Video examples
Lesley Hazleton: The...
He'd be appalled at the repression of half the population because of their gender. He'd be torn apart by the bitter divisiveness of sectarianism. He'd call out terrorism for what it is,
Video examples
Karen Armstrong: 2008...
self-indulgent guesswork about matters that nobody can be certain of one way or the other, but which makes people quarrelsome and stupidly sectarian.
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Haider al-Abadi
Iraqi Politician
The role of the government is not to solve religious or sectarian or ethnic problems. These are age-old. I don't think any government of the day can solve all differences. But the government of the day can deliver to our citizens and show our citizens that they are equal in front of the law.
Quote examples
Noam Chomsky
American Activist
The good news from the U.S. military survey of focus groups is that Iraqis do accept the Nuremberg principles. They understand that sectarian violence and the other postwar horrors are contained within the supreme international crime committed by the invaders.
Quote examples
Barack Obama
American President
Of course, violence will not end with our combat mission. Extremists will continue to set off bombs, attack Iraqi civilians and try to spark sectarian strife. But ultimately, these terrorists will fail to achieve their goals.
Quote examples
Pankaj Mishra
Indian Novelist
In a typically contradictory move, globalisation, while promoting economic integration among elites, has exacerbated sectarianism everywhere else.
Quote examples
Tom Paulin
Irish Poet
A truly vibrant and creative culture depends on a system of education which is not divided along class and sectarian lines.
Quote examples
Frankie Boyle
Scottish Comedian
Sectarianism is a real problem, but it should be addressed by people engaging with each other - reconciliation.
Quote examples
Emily Thornberry
British Politician
The Alternative Vote is sectarian and self-serving and it will not improve people's lives.
Quote examples
Ahmed Chalabi
Iraqi Statesman
Sectarian politics gets votes in Iraq. But sectarian government fails in Iraq.
Quote examples
James Larkin
Irish Activist
I have tried to kill sectarianism, whether in Catholics or Protestants.
Quote examples
Mary Douglas
British Scientist
Any great organization can go through sectarian phases.
Quote examples
Haider al-Abadi
Iraqi Politician
The role of the government is not to solve religious or sectarian or ethnic problems. These are age-old. I don't think any government of the day can solve all differences. But the government of the day can deliver to our citizens and show our citizens that they are equal in front of the law.
Quote examples
Noam Chomsky
American Activist
The good news from the U.S. military survey of focus groups is that Iraqis do accept the Nuremberg principles. They understand that sectarian violence and the other postwar horrors are contained within the supreme international crime committed by the invaders.
Quote examples
Barack Obama
American President
Of course, violence will not end with our combat mission. Extremists will continue to set off bombs, attack Iraqi civilians and try to spark sectarian strife. But ultimately, these terrorists will fail to achieve their goals.
Quote examples
Pankaj Mishra
Indian Novelist
In a typically contradictory move, globalisation, while promoting economic integration among elites, has exacerbated sectarianism everywhere else.
Quote examples
Tom Paulin
Irish Poet
A truly vibrant and creative culture depends on a system of education which is not divided along class and sectarian lines.
Quote examples
Frankie Boyle
Scottish Comedian
Sectarianism is a real problem, but it should be addressed by people engaging with each other - reconciliation.
Quote examples
Emily Thornberry
British Politician
The Alternative Vote is sectarian and self-serving and it will not improve people's lives.
Quote examples
Ahmed Chalabi
Iraqi Statesman
Sectarian politics gets votes in Iraq. But sectarian government fails in Iraq.
Quote examples
James Larkin
Irish Activist
I have tried to kill sectarianism, whether in Catholics or Protestants.
Quote examples
Mary Douglas
British Scientist
Any great organization can go through sectarian phases.
Example 1 of 10
WordUp Chrome Extension
As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.
Get Chrome Extension