schism

schism

noun \ˈsi-zəm, ˈski- also ˈshi-; among clergy usually ˈsi-\

Definition of SCHISM

1

: division, separation; also : discord, disharmony <a schism between political parties>

2

a : formal division in or separation from a church or religious body

b : the offense of promoting schism

Examples of SCHISM

1. a schism between leading members of the party
2. The church was divided by schism.

Origin of SCHISM

Middle English scisme, from Anglo-French scisme, cisme, from Late Latin schismat-, schisma, from Greek, cleft, division, from schizein to split — more at shed

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to SCHISM

Synonyms

conflict, disaccord, discordance, discordancy, disharmony, dissension (also dissention), dissent, dissidence, dissonance, disunion, disunity, division, friction, infighting, inharmony, discord, strife, variance, war, warfare

Antonyms

accord, agreement, concord, concordance, harmony, peace

Related Words

clash, collision, competition, contention; altercation, argument, bicker, brawl, debate, disagreement, dispute, divide, fissure; falling-out, fight, hassle, jar, miff, mix-up, quarrel, row, run-in, scrap, spat, squabble, tiff, wrangle; incompatibility, incongruence, incongruity, incongruousness, inconsistence, inconsistency, inconsonance, inharmoniousness; animosity, antagonism, antipathy, cold war, enmity, hostility, ill will, rancor

Near Antonyms

concurrence, cooperation

Rhymes with SCHISM

chrism, chrisom, ism, prism