Well-read · Politics & society · Philosophy & belief
Sectarian: meaning, pronunciation and examples
Sectarian adjective. Relating to bitter division between religious or political groups, often marked by hostility.
How to say it
sek-TAIR-ee-un/sɛkˈtɛːrɪən/
4 syllables, stressed on the second (TAIR). Forms: sectarianism.
Sectarian in a sentence
The old town still bore the scars of sectarian violence, painted on its gable walls.
The committee's debate turned sectarian, each faction refusing to back the other's idea.
Similar and opposite
Similar:
- factional
- partisan
- divisive
- tribal
Opposite:
- ecumenical
- non-sectarian
Where sectarian comes from
From sect, from Latin secta, a following or school of thought.
Test yourself
Which word fills the gap?
The committee's debate turned _____, each faction refusing to back the other's idea.
- sectarian
- heterogeneous
- contentious
Show the answer
sectarian: The committee's debate turned sectarian, each faction refusing to back the other's idea.