internecine

USAGE SUMMARY

"internecine" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an adjective that means "destructive to or involving both sides of a conflict." For example, "The internecine war between the two rival nations lasted for decades."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

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

The Guardian

That "revolution" is better known as the American civil war – the bloody internecine conflict in which 750,000 Americans died.

The Guardian - Opinion

But Hamlet is also the favourite in south-west England, where ancestral internecine conflict and grievance is generally – though I may be wrong – less pronounced.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mr Miliband won the leadership in September 2010, only four months after the party had lost power: his first task was to contain the fall-out from that defeat and keep it out of a spiral of internecine recriminations.

The Economist

From 1945 to 1989 the number of civil wars rose by leaps and bounds, as America and the Soviet Union fuelled internecine fighting in weak young states, either to gain advantage or to stop the other doing so.

The Economist

Whatever the rationale, the long internecine Tory struggle between Eurosceptics and Euro-enthusiasts is over: the sceptics won.Unity, however, also has its risks.

The Economist

The question is whether the deteriorating situation in Syria and Iraq will throw a big wrench into Mr Obama's programme of turning American foreign policy away from the endless bloody internecine warfare of the Middle East, and towards more promising subjects such as trade, East Asia, and the international legal order.In the end, the wrench in question will probably be small.

The Economist

But the 2003 invasion of Iraq looks more like the defenestration of Prague moment, setting the stage as it did for the internecine fighting between the Shia and Sunni communities of the region.

The Economist

His UFF companions were likelier culprits, their bomb intended for a Catholic target.How did a small neighbourhood of housing estates and busy shops descend into internecine mayhem?

The Economist

Two years into Mr Wasserstein's rule, internecine battles are still raging and shareholders are revolting.

The Economist

One of the worst internecine battles of recent years claimed two Palestinian lives, wrecked three PA armoured cars and put 30-plus people in hospital.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "internecine", ensure the context clearly indicates a conflict or struggle that is mutually destructive or occurs within a closely related group, such as a family, organization, or nation.

Common error

Avoid using "internecine" to describe any general conflict. This word specifically applies to struggles within a group or those that are mutually destructive. Using "conflict", "rivalry", or "discord" might be more appropriate in other situations.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "internecine" primarily functions to describe a noun, typically a conflict, struggle, or rivalry. It signifies that the described noun is characterized by internal dissension and mutual destructiveness. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "internecine" is an adjective used to describe mutually destructive conflict or struggle within a group. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a grammatically correct and usable term in English. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, "internecine" highlights the self-destructive nature of conflicts, emphasizing the internal dissension and mutual harm among involved parties. While grammatically correct, be mindful to use it when the context specifically involves internal or mutually destructive strife. Alternatives include "mutually destructive" and "marked by internal conflict".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mutually destructive

This phrase directly reflects the core meaning of "internecine", emphasizing the reciprocal destruction involved.

mutually harmful

Similar to "mutually destructive", this term highlights the damaging effects on all parties involved.

destructive to all sides

This phrase clarifies that the destructive impact affects every participant in the conflict.

marked by internal conflict

This alternative focuses on the internal strife that characterizes internecine situations.

characterized by infighting

This option emphasizes the internal battles and struggles within a group.

self-destructive

This term underscores the element of a group harming itself through internal conflict.

mutually ruinous

Similar to "mutually destructive", this term emphasizes the ultimate ruinous outcome for all sides involved in the conflict.

fractious

This single-word alternative describes the state of being easily fragmented or prone to conflict.

discordant

This term refers to a lack of harmony or agreement, often leading to conflict.

riven

This alternative suggests a group is split or torn apart by internal conflict.

FAQs

How is "internecine" typically used in a sentence?

"Internecine" is usually employed as an adjective to describe conflicts or rivalries that are mutually destructive or occur within a group, such as "internecine warfare" or "internecine struggles".

What are some alternatives to using "internecine"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "mutually destructive", "marked by internal conflict", or "characterized by infighting".

Is "internecine" the same as "civil war"?

While an "internecine" conflict can sometimes refer to a civil war, the term is broader and applies to any mutually destructive conflict within a group, not just those within a nation. Civil war specifically refers to armed conflict within a single country.

What distinguishes an "internecine" conflict from a regular conflict?

An "internecine" conflict is unique because it emphasizes that the conflict is particularly destructive to all parties involved or that it's contained within a specific group, such as a family or organization. A regular conflict might not necessarily have these characteristics.