feud

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "feud" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a long-running quarrel or conflict between two parties. For example, "The family has been engaged in a bitter feud for generations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Related: Le Pen family feud is a battle for the soul of the Front National – and France In an interview with the centre-right Le Figaro newspaper on Monday, Le Pen, who had threatened to leave the political ring "only at the end of the bout, whether victor or vanquished", seemed almost conciliatory as he said he would withdraw his candidature to avoid further damage to the party.

The Guardian

Someone else will be faking a feud with Sharon Osbourne, or comparing black contestants to Lenny Henry, or just grinning inanely into space like some sort of bussed-in competition winner.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Both polls took place as Labour's Scottish leader Johann Lamont resigned after a bitter internal feud.

The Guardian

He often blames developments he dislikes on the so-called "parallel state" supposedly made up of traitors, misfits and miscreants, more often than not in league with Fethullah Gülen, an exiled former ally and fellow Islamist with whom he is now involved in a long-running feud.

The Guardian

The family feud between the far-right Front National leader, Marine Le Pen, and her father, Jean-Marie, has turned to all-out war after he disowned her, told her to marry and change her name, and threatened legal action following his suspension from the party.

The Guardian

After the internecine feud between Brown and Blair, this was the last thing most Labourites wanted.

The Guardian

Investigators had said they were investigating various theories, including Islamic extremism and a feud between opposition leaders.

The Guardian

Drama over the landmark trade negotiations has been escalating for weeks, propelling Obama into a public feud with Democrats – going so far as to accuse opposing members within his party of lying about the fast-track bill.

The Guardian

Analysts have said the ageing Karimov is trying to postpone a power transition that has recently been complicated by an ugly family feud.

The Guardian

Related: Le Pen family feud is a battle for the soul of the Front National – and France "I don't want the head of the Front National to be called Le Pen," he continued.

The Guardian

Greater Manchester police (GMP) do not currently know what the feud concerns, but believe it may involve "a respect issue" between the two factions, detectives said in a press conference in Manchester on Tuesday.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "feud" to describe a conflict that is long-standing and often involves repeated acts of aggression or retaliation.

Common error

Avoid using "feud" to describe short-term disagreements. A "feud" implies a prolonged and often deeply rooted conflict.

Linguistic Context

The word "feud" primarily functions as a noun to describe a prolonged state of mutual hostility, or as a verb meaning to carry on such a conflict. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, with examples showing it in contexts ranging from political disputes to personal rivalries.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

6%

Science

6%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "feud" is a versatile term, commonly used to describe a long-standing and often bitter conflict. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions both as a noun and a verb, conveying the sense of prolonged animosity. Its usage is most prevalent in news and media contexts, where it is employed to report on political, familial, or even staged rivalries. While grammatically sound and widely understood, "feud" carries implications of duration and intensity, making it unsuitable for describing minor or fleeting disagreements. When using "feud", it's crucial to provide sufficient context, detailing the origins, parties involved, and consequences of the conflict. Although alternatives like "rivalry" and "dispute" exist, "feud" uniquely captures the sustained and often retaliatory nature of such conflicts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

long-standing rivalry

Focuses on the competitive aspect and duration of the conflict.

bitter dispute

Emphasizes the animosity and disagreement involved.

protracted conflict

Highlights the extended duration of the conflict.

ongoing quarrel

Suggests a more personal and less formal disagreement.

state of animosity

Formal way of describing mutual hostility.

vendetta

Implies a personal and often vengeful conflict.

clash of interests

Focuses on conflicting objectives or desires.

discord

General term for disagreement and lack of harmony.

contention

Highlights the act of arguing or disputing.

hostilities

More formal term suggesting open conflict and aggression.

FAQs

How to use "feud" in a sentence?

You can use "feud" to describe a long-standing and bitter conflict between two parties, as in "The two families have been locked in a bitter "feud" for generations".

What can I say instead of "feud"?

You can use alternatives like "rivalry", "dispute", or "conflict", depending on the context.

What's the difference between "feud" and "vendetta"?

While both terms refer to long-standing conflicts, a "feud" often involves multiple parties and a series of retaliatory actions, whereas a "vendetta" typically involves a personal quest for revenge by one party against another.

Which is correct, "family feud" or "family conflict"?

Both "family feud" and "family conflict" are correct, but "family feud" implies a more prolonged and bitter disagreement, often spanning generations.