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

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Rhymes with SCHISM

chrism, chrisom, ism, prism