balkanized

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "balkanized" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a situation where a region or group is divided into smaller, often hostile, units. Example: "The once unified organization became balkanized, with various factions pursuing their own agendas." Alternative expressions include "fragmented" and "divided."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The party had balkanized over a number of issues, among them the aforementioned annexation as well as the use of hard money over paper.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Internet as a whole is being Balkanized, and Europeans are going to have a very different access to information than we have".

The New Yorker

In another generation, the argument goes, this won't be a subculture; it'll be the culture (however balkanized).

The New Yorker

I asked him how he would answer critics who charge that no single organization has done more to weaken Americans' faith in government, or in one another, than the N.R.A. "We live in a society now that's Balkanized," Keene said.

The New Yorker

The panels, he explained, fit together to make an interior office cubicle — one of the "little Balkanized offices" that Klein lamented.

The New Yorker

The system is Balkanized by groups representing the interests of doctors, insurance companies, drug companies, and others.

The New Yorker

The halting of their advance was instrumental, he writes, in creating "an economically retarded, balkanized, and fratricidal Europe that... made virtues out of hereditary aristocracy, persecutory religious intolerance, cultural particularism, and perpetual war".

The New Yorker

What's most striking is the fact that the shrinking industry is now almost completely Balkanized.

The New Yorker

"Mark Penn does not have many friends," one Clinton adviser told me when I asked which camp in the notoriously balkanized Clinton campaign he represented.

The New Yorker

"Louisiana as a whole has a problem with corruption, the school system has been Balkanized and the prisons, which are run for profit, are jammed.

The New York Times

The spread of cable and the Internet, on the other hand, has balkanized and demystified travel, taming even the most remote parts of the world to suit the demands of a grilling contest on the Food Network or bikini modeling on "Get Out!" an extreme travel series on HDNet that takes scantily clad women to exotic locales, then lingers on their contours rather than the surrounding terrain's.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "balkanized", ensure the context clearly implies division and lack of cohesive unity, mirroring the historical fragmentation of the Balkan region.

Common error

Avoid using "balkanized" when the situation involves simple differences of opinion or minor disagreements. It's more appropriate when describing significant fragmentation that hinders collaboration or progress.

Linguistic Context

The term "balkanized" functions as a verb in the past tense or as an adjective. It describes a state or process where something has been divided into smaller, often hostile, units. As shown by Ludwig, this term is frequently used in media and academic contexts to denote fragmentation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "balkanized" is a grammatically sound term used to describe fragmentation, particularly into hostile or uncooperative factions. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage, especially in news and media, lending itself to neutral-to-formal contexts. While alternatives like "fragmented" or "polarized" exist, "balkanized" carries a unique connotation of historical and political division reminiscent of the Balkan region. When employing the term, ensure the context genuinely reflects significant disunity to avoid misapplication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fragmented

Replaces the verb with a more general term for breaking into pieces.

polarized

Indicates division into opposing groups or ideologies.

splintered

Suggests a breaking apart into smaller, sharp pieces.

compartmentalized

Implies separation into distinct, non-communicating sections.

decentralized

Focuses on the dispersal of power or control from a central authority.

segregated

Highlights the separation of groups based on specific characteristics.

divisive

Describes something that causes disagreement or separation.

factionalized

Emphasizes the presence of competing factions within a group.

atomized

Suggests a breakdown into isolated, independent units.

bifurcated

Highlights a division into two distinct branches or categories.

FAQs

How to use "balkanized" in a sentence?

Use "balkanized" to describe a situation where something is divided into smaller, often conflicting, groups or areas. For example, "The internet is becoming increasingly "balkanized" with different countries controlling content.".

What can I say instead of "balkanized"?

You can use alternatives like "fragmented", "polarized", or "splintered" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "balkanized" or "fragmented"?

"Balkanized" and "fragmented" are both correct, but "balkanized" specifically implies division into smaller, often hostile, units, similar to the historical Balkan region, while "fragmented" is a more general term for breaking apart.

What's the difference between "balkanized" and "polarized"?

"Balkanized" implies division into multiple smaller units, while "polarized" suggests a division into two opposing groups or viewpoints.