Tribalistic

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Relating to a strong loyalty or allegiance to a specific group or social unit, often leading to a sense of separation from others
2. characterized by behaviors and beliefs that prioritize the interests of one's own group over those of outsiders
3. depicting an inclination towards developing and maintaining close-knit communities based on shared identities, traditions, or values

Etymology: "Tribalistic" is simply "tribal" with the suffix "-istic" added, which gives the sense of having the character or tendencies of something tribal. Tribal itself comes from "tribe," which traces back through Latin "tribus," a word for one of the three ancient divisions of the Roman people, and the name carried the idea of a group bound together by common ancestry and custom. The suffix "-istic" comes from Greek through Latin and is used to form adjectives describing a characteristic or manner, so "tribalistic" describes behaviour, attitudes or outlooks that resemble tribal loyalty. Its meaning is therefore less about actual tribes than about the pattern of thinking that binds a group together, often with a sense of loyalty to the in-group.

Synonyms: clannish, insular

Antonyms: universal, inclusive