sec·tar·i·an
sek-ˈter-ē-ən 
1
: of, relating to, or characteristic of a sect or sectarian
2
: limited in character or scope : parochial
1
: an adherent of a sect
2
: a narrow or bigoted person
Synonyms
Examples of sectarian in a Sentence
Adjective
The country was split along sectarian lines.
there are people on both the left and the right who have staked out unyielding sectarian positions in this debate
Noun
charged that the work of Congress has been stymied by sectarians who are indifferent to reason and intolerant of compromise
Recent Examples on the Web
Megan Specia, New York Times, 7 June 2024
On perhaps the most salient issue of recent years—the U.K.’s withdrawal from the E.U., which a majority in Northern Ireland opposed and which has inflamed sectarian tensions—Sinn Féin was able to draw an even starker contrast between itself and the Brexit-backing DUP.
—Yasmeen Serhan, TIME, 30 May 2024
Foreign Affairs, 22 May 2015
Both sides insist the other initiated the initial volley of gunfire that killed four agents and six sectarians.
—Joshua Alston, Variety, 12 Apr. 2023
See all Example Sentences for sectarian 
Adjective
The school is in the largely Catholic Falls Road area of west Belfast, which was engulfed for decades by the bloody sectarian struggle in Northern Ireland known as the Troubles.
—Megan Specia, New York Times, 7 June 2024
On perhaps the most salient issue of recent years—the U.K.’s withdrawal from the E.U., which a majority in Northern Ireland opposed and which has inflamed sectarian tensions—Sinn Féin was able to draw an even starker contrast between itself and the Brexit-backing DUP.
—Yasmeen Serhan, TIME, 30 May 2024
Noun
People want to get rid of religious parties, people want to put sectarians behind to build an Iraq for all Iraqis.
—Foreign Affairs, 22 May 2015
Both sides insist the other initiated the initial volley of gunfire that killed four agents and six sectarians.
—Joshua Alston, Variety, 12 Apr. 2023
See all Example Sentences for sectarian
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sectarian.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Sectarian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sectarian. Accessed 11 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sectarian
1 of 2 adjective
sec·tar·i·an
sek-ˈter-ē-ən
1
: of, relating to, or characteristic of a sect or sectarian
2
: not willing to consider other points of view
a sectarian mind
sectarian
2 of 2 noun1
: a member of a sect
2
: a person who won't consider the ideas or opinions of others
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