Word
sectarian
Phoneticssec·tar·i·an, stress on the second syllable
US/sɛkˈtɛɹiən/
UK/sɛktˈeəɹiən/
Definitions
01religious or political groups
C1 · Advanced Academic
adj. relating to the differences and conflicts between different religious or political groups.
adj. relating to or arising from differences between religious sects or political factions, often implying conflict.
Español:sectario
“The country has suffered from sectarian violence for many years.”
“The peace treaty aimed to dismantle the sectarian divisions that had plagued the region's political landscape for decades.”
Usage
Commonly modifies nouns like 'violence', 'conflict', 'strife', or 'divide'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02narrow-minded
C2 · Proficiency Formal · Literary
adj. having very strong and narrow beliefs that make you unwilling to listen to other ideas.
adj. adhering rigidly to a particular set of doctrines; narrow-minded or parochial in outlook.
Español:sectario
“He was criticized for his sectarian approach to the new policy.”
“The professor warned against a sectarian interpretation of the text, urging students to consider broader historical contexts.”
Antonyms
03a member of a sect
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Formal
n. a person who strongly supports a specific religious or political group.
n. a member of a particular sect, especially one who is perceived as narrow-minded or bigoted.
“The sectarians refused to meet with leaders from other churches.”
“Historians noted that the sectarians were more interested in internal purity than in forming a broad coalition.”
Real-World Examples
“In July 2025, more than 1,700 people were killed in massacres in the Druze-majority province of Suweida when local fighting evolved into sectarian killings.” “The director of the French Biblical and Archaeological School, where the nun is a researcher, called the assault an "act of sectarian violence".” Etymology
From Medieval Latin sectarius + -an. Its corresponding etymology per the first sense is sect + -arian.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/sectarian
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0