balkanise
Divide into factions
To balkanise is to divide a region or group into smaller, mutually hostile units—named for the Balkan Peninsula, where the Ottoman Empire's fragmentation produced feuding states.
The word applies beyond geography: a company balkanises when departments stop cooperating, or a political movement balkanises into competing factions.
The reform effort balkanised into dozens of splinter groups.
Also spelled balkanize.
Barrier separating spaces
- splinterThin sharp fragment
- divideSeparate into parts
- fractureSplit in hard material
- break upEnd a relationship
split · dismember · subdivide · carve up · sever · disintegrate · fragment · atomize
Formal withdrawal from union
- devolutionTransferring power locally
- autonomyIndependent decision-making capacity
- decentralizeDistribute control outward
- federalismDivided governmental authority system
enclave · territory · cantons · province · jurisdiction · self-determination · separatism · independence
Domestic armed conflict
- sectarianismPrejudiced loyalty to subgroups
- factionalismDivision into opposing cliques
- feudBitter ongoing rivalry
- rivalryOngoing contest between opponents
discord · antagonism · hostility · tension · dispute · infighting · tribalism · polarization
partition
Barrier separating spaces
break up · split · dismember · subdivide · carve up · sever · disintegrate · fragment · atomize · disunite
secession
Formal withdrawal from union
- devolutionTransferring power locally
- autonomyIndependent decision-making capacity
- decentralizeDistribute control outward
federalism · enclave · territory · cantons · province · jurisdiction · self-determination · separatism · independence · sovereignty
civil war
Domestic armed conflict
- sectarianismPrejudiced loyalty to subgroups
- factionalismDivision into opposing cliques
- feudBitter ongoing rivalry
rivalry · discord · antagonism · hostility · tension · dispute · infighting · tribalism · polarization · animosity
balkaniseunify
Combine into a whole
unite · consolidate · federate · reunify · integrate
balkaniseunify
Combine into a whole
integrate · consolidate · coalesce · harmonize · bring together
balkanization, balkanize, balkanized, balkanizes, balkanised, balkanizing, balkanising