Balkanize

• Balkanise, balkanise
• balkanize

Balkan +‎ -ize

Balkanize (third-person singular simple present Balkanizes, present participle Balkanizing, simple past and past participle Balkanized)

1. (transitive) To break up into small, mutually-hostile units, especially on a political basis.
   • 1984, William Gibson, Neuromancer (Sprawl; book 1), New York, N.Y.: Ace Books, →ISBN, page 83:

     The Pentagon and the CIA were being Balkanized, partially dismantled, and a Congressional investigation had focused on Screaming Fist.

• Balkan, Balkans
• Balkanization, Balkanisation