schism

noun

ˈsi-zəm  ˈski- 

also ˈshi-;

among clergy usually

ˈsi- 

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

Synonyms of schism

• discord
• strife
• friction
• conflict
• war
• discordance
• dissent
• discordancy
• warfare

Examples of schism in a Sentence

a schism between leading members of the party

The church was divided by schism.

Recent Examples on the Web

As the country heads toward a national election, the leader once celebrated as a healer is now viewed by critics as the main driver of these schisms. —Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 31 May 2026

Whether or not there was ever actually a schism, the rumor mill was confident and uninformed. —Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 29 May 2026

The Daily Dividend Pope Leo's call for AI regulation has created a schism within the White House. —Alex Harring, CNBC, 27 May 2026

Political analysts say the political fallout from the food co-op debate reflects a broader and widening schism over Israel among Democratic voters, especially progressive Jewish Democrats. —Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 23 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English scisme, sisme, cisme "division in the church, dissension in belief, civil strife," borrowed from Anglo-French scisme, borrowed from Late Latin scisma, schisma "division of opinion, dissension in the church," borrowed from Greek schismat-, schísma "cleft, division, (New Testament) division of opinion," from schid-, stem of schízein "to split, separate" + -smat-, -sma, resultative noun suffix — more at shed entry 1

Note: As the spellings suggest, the Middle English and early Modern English pronunciation of this word was with initial [s] rather than [sk]. Hellenized spellings with initial sch- became general in the seventeenth century, though the old pronunciation with initial [s] has persisted until recently.

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for schism

• abolitionism
• aldosteronism
• americanism
• anticommunism
• antisemitism
• antiterrorism
• bioterrorism
• colloquialism
• colonialism
• consequentialism
• contextualism
• conventionalism

Kids Definition

schism

noun

ˈsiz-əm  ˈskiz- 

1

a

: division sense 6, separation

b

: lack of harmony : discord

2

a

: division in or separation from a church or religious body

b

: the offense of promoting schism