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

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

National pride, in the past decade, has seen a clear schism between parties. —Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 30 June 2025

However, a schism emerged between Republican lawmakers during the budget debates in Congress. —Drew Kurlowski, The Conversation, 25 June 2025

The feud has also created divisions within conservative circles and Silicon Valley, as stakeholders reassess their allegiances in light of the schism between two influential figures. —Brent Gleeson, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025

DeSantis rips House Republicans in remarks to grassroots at governor’s mansion McClure’s committee on Wednesday also tackled a schism with the DeSantis administration over offices on the 21st floor of the Capitol. —Dara Kam, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2025

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