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

With the possible exception of some of his early radio scripts, this is by far Miller’s funniest play, even though there is nothing at all funny about the family schism at the heart of it. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 7 Nov. 2026

But Valdez suggested such schisms within the party would likely take a backseat to unity on domestic concerns like economic issues and immigration. — Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 5 Nov. 2026

The schism would go on to shape the future of journalism from the newsletter economy all the way up to the highest echelons of Hollywood and television news after Weiss was appointed editor in chief of CBS News last year. — Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 2 Nov. 2026

Trump pointed to a schism in the United Methodist Church to criticize Hamilton. — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 2 Nov. 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