sectarian strife

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sectarian strife" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe conflict or tension between different religious or ethnic groups. Example: "The region has been plagued by sectarian strife for decades, leading to numerous violent confrontations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sectarian strife could be reignited.

The Economist

"This is a crime – not sectarian strife".

The Guardian

Sectarian strife is like a fire.

The Washington Post

There have been violent incidents of sectarian strife too.

The New York Times - Magazine

The sectarian strife had killed an estimated 3,500 people.

The Washington Post

Nor indeed will sectarian strife on the left help.

The Guardian - Opinion

It must not be consumed by sectarian strife.

The Guardian - Opinion

In Yemen there is little history of sectarian strife.

The Guardian

Mr Erdogan retorted that Mr Maliki was fomenting sectarian strife with his clampdown on Sunni politicians.

The Economist

Barelvi religious leaders have described the attacks as an attempt to sow sectarian strife.

The New York Times

But he argued that Mr. Assad himself was the greatest cause of instability and sectarian strife.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "sectarian strife", provide specific details about the groups involved and the underlying causes of the conflict to give your readers a deeper understanding of the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "sectarian strife" as a vague term for any conflict. Be precise about the religious or ethnic groups involved and the specific issues driving the conflict.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sectarian strife" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct. It typically identifies a condition or situation involving conflict.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sectarian strife" is a grammatically correct and frequently used term, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, to describe conflict arising from religious or ideological differences. Predominantly found in news and media sources, the phrase serves to categorize and analyze such conflicts. While synonyms like "religious conflict" or "ethnic tension" exist, "sectarian strife" specifically emphasizes the internal divisions within a religious group leading to discord. When employing this phrase, specify the groups involved and underlying causes to provide context. Avoid generalizations to ensure clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

religious conflict

Focuses specifically on religious differences as the cause of the conflict.

inter-religious conflict

Specifically highlights conflict occurring between different religious groups.

sectarian violence

Directly replaces "strife" with "violence", emphasizing the violent aspect of the conflict.

ethnic conflict

Emphasizes ethnic divisions as the primary driver of conflict.

inter-ethnic conflict

Specifically highlights conflict occurring between different ethnic groups.

communal violence

Highlights the violence occurring within a community due to sectarian or ethnic reasons.

religious tension

Indicates a state of strained relations between religious groups, without necessarily implying open conflict.

ethnic animosity

Focuses on the deep-seated hostility and ill-feeling between ethnic groups.

group conflict

A broader term encompassing any conflict between different groups, not necessarily limited to religious or ethnic divisions.

tribal warfare

Implies conflict between different tribes or clans, often involving armed conflict.

FAQs

How can I use "sectarian strife" in a sentence?

"Sectarian strife" is typically used to describe violent or bitter conflict between different religious sects or factions. For example: 'The region has been plagued by sectarian strife for decades.'

What's the difference between "sectarian strife" and "religious conflict"?

While closely related, "sectarian strife" specifically implies conflict between different sects or factions within a religion, whereas "religious conflict" can also refer to conflict between different religions.

What are some synonyms for "sectarian strife"?

Synonyms for "sectarian strife" include "ethnic conflict", "communal violence", and "religious tension", depending on the specific context.

Is "sectarian strife" a formal or informal term?

"Sectarian strife" is generally considered a neutral term, suitable for use in news reports, academic articles, and other formal contexts. It is not overly technical or informal.