sectarianism
Hostile group loyalty
Sectarianism is excessive devotion to a particular sect, faction, or group, especially in religion or politics, combined with hostility toward outsiders.
It emphasizes differences over common ground: Sectarianism has fueled violence in Northern Ireland for generations.
The term implies narrow-mindedness and the elevation of group identity above broader unity or shared interests.
Obsessive, unreasoning dedication
- zealotryExcessive devotion to beliefs
- radicalismPursuit of sweeping change
- fundamentalismStrict adherence to core tenets
- militancyCombative advocacy stance
dogmatism · absolutism · puritanism · jihadism · terrorism · martyrdom · holy war · crusade
Formal organizational fracture
- factionalismDivision into opposing cliques
- tribalismIn-group loyalty, out-group hostility
- polarizationSeparation into opposing extremes
- fragmentationBreaking into smaller pieces
splintering · rift · discord · segregation · partition · balkanization · disunion · cleavage
Preformed unfavorable opinion
- intoleranceUnwillingness to accept differences
- discriminationUnjust differential treatment
- biasUnfair inclination or prejudice
- narrow-mindednessClosed thinking, limited perspective
exclusion · othering · stereotyping · demonization · scapegoating · dehumanization · hatred · animosity
Named religious group
- cultFervent fringe group
- heresyBelief opposing official doctrine
- orthodoxyAdherence to accepted beliefs
- schismFormal organizational fracture
apostasy · excommunication · blasphemy · infidel · catholic · evangelical · reformist · traditionalist
Loyalty to one faction
- factionGroup within group
- identity politicsCollective action via shared characteristics
- tribalismIn-group loyalty, out-group hostility
- polarizationSeparation into opposing extremes
gerrymandering · loyalist · ideologue · demagogue · propaganda · echo chamber · groupthink · radicalization
Angry, prolonged conflict
- clashesViolent encounters or disagreements
- violenceHarmful physical force
- hostilitiesActive armed fighting
- bloodshedKilling and wounding
turmoil · unrest · feuding · warfare · antagonism · persecution · pogroms · ethnic cleansing
fanaticism
Obsessive, unreasoning dedication
- zealotryExcessive devotion to beliefs
- radicalismPursuit of sweeping change
- fundamentalismStrict adherence to core tenets
militancy · dogmatism · absolutism · puritanism · jihadism · terrorism · martyrdom · holy war · crusade · inquisition
schism
Formal organizational fracture
- factionalismDivision into opposing cliques
- tribalismIn-group loyalty, out-group hostility
- polarizationSeparation into opposing extremes
fragmentation · splintering · rift · discord · segregation · partition · balkanization · disunion · cleavage · fracture
prejudice
Preformed unfavorable opinion
- intoleranceUnwillingness to accept differences
- discriminationUnjust differential treatment
- biasUnfair inclination or prejudice
narrow-mindedness · exclusion · othering · stereotyping · demonization · scapegoating · dehumanization · hatred · animosity · hostility
denomination
Named religious group
- cultFervent fringe group
- heresyBelief opposing official doctrine
- orthodoxyAdherence to accepted beliefs
schism · apostasy · excommunication · blasphemy · infidel · catholic · evangelical · reformist · traditionalist · convert
partisanship
Loyalty to one faction
- factionGroup within group
- identity politicsCollective action via shared characteristics
- tribalismIn-group loyalty, out-group hostility
polarization · gerrymandering · loyalist · ideologue · demagogue · propaganda · echo chamber · groupthink · radicalization · purism
strife
Angry, prolonged conflict
- clashesViolent encounters or disagreements
- violenceHarmful physical force
- hostilitiesActive armed fighting
bloodshed · turmoil · unrest · feuding · warfare · antagonism · persecution · pogroms · ethnic cleansing · riots
- Middle EastIraq, Baghdad, Cairo, Iran, Jordan
- discriminationracism, systemic discrimination, Jim Crow laws, sexism, racial harassment
- Irish HistoryGreat Famine, Easter Rising, Irish nationalism, Irish War of Independence, Irish Civil War
- biasprejudice, racism, bigotry, sexism, ageism
- cultismcult, brainwashing, indoctrination, fanaticism, zealotry
- divisivenessdiscord, strife, polarization, factionalism, tribalism
sectarianismecumenism
Movement toward religious unity
ecumenicalism · religious pluralism · nonsectarianism · universalism · religious unity
sectarianismopen-mindedness
Acceptance of differing viewpoints
broad-mindedness · tolerance · liberalism · liberality · freethinking
sectarianismunity
Wholeness through cohesion
solidarity · universalism · inclusivism · inclusiveness · egalitarianism
insect, section, sector, sectarian, sect, dissect, bisect, intersect, sectional