Infighting

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Struggles among members of the same group that diminish unity
2. Conflicts occurring within an organization that compromise collaboration
3. Disputes occurring among individuals belonging to the same faction or team

Etymology: "Infighting" is a plain compound: "in-" (here meaning "within" or "at close quarters") joined to "fighting." The sense of fighting at close range, where combatants are pressed up against each other rather than trading blows at a distance, is the core idea behind the modern meaning of quarrels inside a group. The word has deep roots in English. Old English had "infiht," meaning a close fight or fighting at close quarters, and Middle English later had "infighten," meaning to attack. The modern noun, however, reflects a shift from the literal combat of bodies in close contact to disputes among members of the same team, party, or organization. Those who fight from inside a group are, in a sense, fighting at the closest possible range.

Synonyms: internal conflict, turf war, factionalism, strife, dispute

Antonyms: cooperation, unity, harmony, collaboration, alliance