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Definition of sectionalism

sectionalism

/ˈsɛkʃənəlˌɪzəm/
sec · tion · al · ism
Plural:sectionalisms
•
Adjective:sectionalist
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sectionalism Lexical Profile

sectionalism Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

Excessive devotion to the interests of a particular region, section, or political faction of a country, often to the detriment of national unity or the common good.

Example

"Historians often point to economic sectionalism as a primary factor that deepened the divide between the regions in the nineteenth century."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Nearby Words

sectarian
section
sectional
sectionalism
sectionalist
sectionalize
sector

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in mid-19th-century American English from 'sectional' and the suffix '-ism', originally used to describe the growing political and economic division between the Northern and Southern states prior to the American Civil War.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Sectionalism. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/sectionalism
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