English vocabulary · C2
Internecine
/ˌɪn.tərˈniː.saɪn/ · adj.
It means a fight that destroys both sides from within. Conflict inside a group that harms everyone in it.
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Example sentences
- The internecine debate split the party in two.
- Years of internecine fighting left the company too weak to survive.
Word origin and roots
from Latin
- inter — between (from Latin)
- nec — kill (from Latin)
Synonyms and nuances
- SELF-DESTRUCTIVE — harmful to oneself (Personal & Internal)
- DIVISIVE — causing strong disagreement (Social & Splitting)
- RUINOUS — causing total collapse (Result & Consequence)
Similar words
- self-destructive
- divisive
- ruinous
Lesson notes
Internecine. It means a fight that destroys both sides from within. It is conflict inside a group that causes damage to everyone in it.
Similar words are self-destructive, divisive, and ruinous. Use internecine when a conflict inside a group harms all members.
The internecine debate split the party in two. Years of internecine fighting left the company too weak to survive.
From Latin. Inter- means between. Nec- means kill. Killing between members of the same group — that is internecine.