faction

1 of 2

noun

fac·​tion ˈfak-shən How to pronounce faction (audio)
Synonyms of faction
1
: a party or group (as within a government) that is often contentious or self-seeking : clique
The committee soon split into factions.
2
: party spirit especially when marked by dissension
Faction, or the irreconcilable conflict of parties …—Ernest Barker
factional
ˈfak-sh(ə-)nəl How to pronounce faction (audio)
adjective
factionalism
ˈfak-sh(ə-)nə-ˌli-zəm How to pronounce faction (audio)
noun
factionally
ˈfak-sh(ə-)nəl-ē How to pronounce faction (audio)
adverb

-faction

2 of 2

noun combining form

: making : -fication
petrifaction

Synonyms of faction

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Noun

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Examples of faction in a Sentence

Noun The committee soon split into factions. several factions within the environmental movement have joined forces to save this wilderness area
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
An average of four recent polls puts the two camps at roughly 50 and 53 seats, respectively, leaving Arab parties and smaller factions potentially pivotal. — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 22 Oct. 2026 In a recent interview with Spanish language media, Rubio defended Betancourt, praising his oil company’s work in Venezuela and his support for factions of the Venezuelan opposition in exile. — Cate Brown, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2026 Holed up in Diane Taverner’s (Kristin Scott Thomas) seaside cottage and the surrounding beach, the Horses wage war against the dueling factions, with onetime faithful Dog Flyte (Ruth Bradley) taking a bullet on the beach. — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026 Brian Romero, a DSA member and incoming state assemblymember who has worked with the chapter’s tech working group in the past, framed the debate as a complex, fast-moving issue that factions across the political spectrum are having. — J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for faction

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French faccion, borrowed from Latin factiōn-, factiō "act of making, social set, band, group, self-seeking political group," from facere "to make, bring about, place, classify" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at fact

Note: A doublet of faction is fashion entry 1, from the Gallo-Romance outcome of Latin factiō, which maintains only the meaning "act of making," sparsely attested outside of early Latin except in legal use.

Noun combining form

borrowed from Latin -factiōn-, -factiō (as in satisfactiōn-, satisfactiō satisfaction)

First Known Use

Noun

1509, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of faction was in 1509

Rhymes for faction

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Browse Nearby Words

fact in issue
faction
-faction
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Faction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/faction. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

faction

noun
fac·​tion ˈfak-shən How to pronounce faction (audio)
: a group acting together within a larger body (as a government) : clique
factional
-shnəl How to pronounce faction (audio)
-shən-ᵊl
adjective
factionalism
-ˌiz-əm How to pronounce faction (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on faction

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about faction

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