Synonyms:
cabal, faction, junto, camarilla
Meaning: a clique (often secret) that seeks power usually through intrigue
Usage examples
Power itself is often a faction.
So each faction had its leaders, its partisans, its badges, and its followers.
Unfortunately Trivulzio was himself a Milanese and of the faction of the Guelphs.
Accordingly Attica, from the poverty of its soil enjoying from a very remote period freedom from faction, never changed its inhabitants.
The goodness of the land favoured the aggrandizement of particular individuals, and thus created faction which proved a fertile source of ruin.
"Hanno's faction is all powerful at present," he said, "and were Hannibal himself here I doubt whether his voice could stir the senate into taking action such as is needed.
A guaranty by the national authority would be as much levelled against the usurpations of rulers as against the ferments and outrages of faction and sedition in the community.
A successful faction may erect a tyranny on the ruins of order and law, while no succor could constitutionally be afforded by the Union to the friends and supporters of the government.
A letter came from his father, to whom he had written at once of his purpose, giving his approval, and sending him more money. Colonel Kenton wrote that he would come South himself, but he was needed in Kentucky, where a powerful faction was opposing their plans.
If there were demagogues here and there among them, seeking merely to create a balance of power for bargain and sale, they were unimportant in number, and only of local influence, and soon became deserters. There was no mistaking the earnestness of the body of this faction.