What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
tribalism
Example
Tribalism can be seen in the way people fiercely defend their political party. [tribalism: noun]
Example
The tribalism of some sports fans can lead to violence and aggression towards opposing teams. [tribalism: noun]
partisanship
Example
The partisanship in Congress has made it difficult to pass any meaningful legislation. [partisanship: noun]
Example
Some voters refuse to consider candidates from the opposing party due to their strong partisanship. [partisanship: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Partisanship is more commonly used than tribalism in everyday language, especially in political contexts. Partisanship is a common term used to describe the current state of politics in many countries, while tribalism is less commonly used.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between tribalism and partisanship?
Both tribalism and partisanship are relatively informal terms, but partisanship may be slightly more formal due to its frequent use in political discourse.
