infighting
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /ɪnfˈaɪtɪŋ/
US
- /ˈɪnˌfaɪtɪŋ/
Description
- Internal conflict
- disagreement within a group
- squabbling
Imagine a team of superheroes constantly arguing among themselves about who gets to save the day - that's infighting! It describes disagreements, arguments, and power struggles within a group, organization, or even a family. Instead of working together against an outside threat, they start fighting each other. This can weaken them a lot. Political parties often suffer from infighting as different groups compete for control. A company dealing with infighting might see projects delayed and team spirit drop. It's less about outside enemies and more about trouble inside the group.
Infighting refers to conflict or disagreement that occurs among members of a group, rather than between the group and an outside force. The word paints a picture of people on the same team turning against each other, often over issues of power, ideology, or resources. It's more intense than simple disagreements; it suggests active hostility and attempts to undermine others within the same organization.
You might hear about infighting in politics – "The party was crippled by years of bitter infighting between conservatives and liberals." Or perhaps in a business context: "The company's lack of success was largely due to constant infighting among department heads." It can also occur on a smaller scale, like within a family or even a friendship.
Infighting isn't always public; it can be subtle maneuvering, backstabbing, and spreading rumors. While some level of disagreement is natural in any group, infighting implies that the conflict is damaging and unproductive, hindering progress towards shared goals. It's a destructive force that eats away at unity and effectiveness. Think of wolves turning on each other instead of hunting as a pack – that's the essence of infighting.
Examples
- 1
Political party
The party lost support because voters were tired of its constant infighting.
- 2
Company delay
Months of infighting within the company delayed the launch of the new product.
- 3
Team morale
The coach said the team had talent, but infighting in the locker room was ruining morale.
- 4
Election strategy
Instead of focusing on the election, the candidates got pulled into bitter infighting over strategy.
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- infightingnoun