# tribalism

/ˈtɹaɪbəɫɪzəm/ (US) · /tɹˈaɪbəlˌɪzəm/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/tribalism
Updated: 2026-10-13

## Definition

strong loyalty to your own group that makes you distrust or dislike people outside it. You see it in politics, sports, and workplaces when group pride turns into conflict.

For teachers: loyalty to one's own social, political, or ethnic group that produces exclusion or hostility toward outsiders. Often used to describe polarized group behaviour in politics, sport, and organizational life.

## Examples

- Tribalism makes fans fight instead of enjoying the game.
- Tribalism shapes office politics when teams defend their own ideas and reject helpful suggestions from other departments.
- Commentators argue that digital platforms amplify tribalism by rewarding outrage, so nuanced debate gives way to loyalty tests within closed communities.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.