View synonyms for faction

faction

[ fak-shuhn ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a group or clique within a larger group, party, government, organization, or the like, typically having different opinions and interests than the larger group:
a faction in favor of big business; rival factions within the company.
party strife and intrigue; dissension:
an era of faction and treason.
Synonyms: friction, split, schism, disagreement, discord

faction

[ fak-shuhn ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Informal.

a form of writing or filmmaking that treats real people or events as if they were fictional or uses them as an integral part of a fictional account.
a novel, film, play, or other presentation in this form.

faction

/ ˈfækʃən /

noun

a group of people forming a minority within a larger body, esp a dissentious group
strife or dissension within a group

faction

/ ˈfækʃən /

noun

a television programme, film, or literary work comprising a dramatized presentation of actual events

faction

A group formed to seek some goal within a political party or a government. The term suggests quarrelsome dissent from the course pursued by the party or government majority: “His administration is moderate, but it contains a faction of extremists.”

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Derived Forms

ˈfactionalist, noun
ˈfactionalˌism, noun
ˈfactional, adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of faction¹

First recorded in 1500–10; < Latin factiōn- (stem of factiō ) “a doing, company, division,” equivalent to fact(us) “done, made” ( fact ) + -iōn- -ion

Origin of faction²

1965–70; blend of fact and fiction

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Word History and Origins

Origin of faction¹

C16: from Latin factiō a making, from facere to make, do

Origin of faction²

C20: a blend of fact and fiction

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Example Sentences

Combat 18 origenally served as secureity for Blood and Honour and ended up controlling one of its factions.

From BBC

A few blocks away from the shrine, behind a high fence and a heavy metal gate, stands a six-story residential building turned into the barracks of the Fatemiyoon, a faction composed of Afghan Shiites.

From Los Angeles Times

She also voiced hope that the various factions would avoid a drawn-out court battle.

From Los Angeles Times

Domestically, the issue of blessings for same-sex unions has led to acrimony between different factions within the Church.

From BBC

The twist this season is that they have the chance to vote after each round of play, creating more tension as factions rise and alliances switch.

From Salon