faction
[C] Countable
pl: factions
This word carries a heavy scent of conflict and instability. It describes a splinter group that is not merely a sub-committee, but a competitive entity that often works against the interests of the larger organization to push its own specific agenda. In political or historical contexts, it suggests a state of fragility where unity has collapsed. While a club or a team is cohesive, a faction is defined by its opposition to others, making the word inherently divisive and often negative.
Countable when referring to the distinct groups themselves, such as the different factions within a parliament.