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Definition of tribalism

tribalism

/ˈtraɪ.bəˌlɪz.əm/
tri · bal · ism
Plural:tribalisms
•
Adjective:tribalistic
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tribalism Lexical Profile

tribalism Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A strong, often uncritical loyalty to one's own social, political, or cultural group, frequently accompanied by hostility or prejudice toward outsiders.

Example

"Political commentators warned that growing partisan tribalism was making bipartisan compromise nearly impossible."

2

The state or condition of living within a tribe or organizing society according to traditional tribal structures and customs.

Example

"Anthropologists studied how traditional tribalism shaped governance and resource sharing across the region."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Nearby Words

triathlete
triathlon
tribal
tribalism
tribalist
tribally
tribe

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the late 19th century from "tribal" plus "-ism," ultimately tracing back to the Latin "tribus," which originally referred to the three ancient divisions of the Roman people.

Cite this Entry

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