What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
secretarian
Example
The secretarian leader refused to work with members of other political parties. [secretarian: adjective]
Example
The company's secretarian policies made it difficult for employees of certain religions to advance. [secretarian: noun]
sectarian
Example
The sectarian violence between the two religious groups resulted in many casualties. [sectarian: adjective]
Example
The government's sectarian policies were criticized for discriminating against minority groups. [sectarian: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sectarian is more commonly used than secretarian in everyday language, especially in the context of religious or political conflicts. Secretarian is less common and is mostly used in specific contexts related to religion or politics.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between secretarian and sectarian?
Both secretarian and sectarian are considered formal words and are not commonly used in casual conversation. However, sectarian is more versatile and can be used in various formality levels, while secretarian is more specific and may not be suitable for all contexts.
