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Definition of "sectarian" []

  • Of, relating to, or characteristic of a sect. (adjective)
  • Adhering or confined to the dogmatic limits of a sect or denomination; partisan. (adjective)
  • Narrow-minded; parochial. (adjective)
  • A member of a sect. (noun)
  • One characterized by bigoted adherence to a factional viewpoint. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "sectarian" in a sentence
  • "The deployment last year of Iraqi troops, who were widely perceived locally as Shi'ite Arab outsiders, prompted the Sunni mayor of Tal Afar to tender his resignation in protest at what he described as a sectarian operation."
  • "BLITZER: That seems to be a significant -- almost three years into this war, it's not only an insurgency that's undermining the U. S.-led effort, but now it's turning into what he calls sectarian violence."
  • "But this has to do, partly, with what I call sectarian self-esteem in Lebanon."