schism

noun

ˈsi-zəm How to pronounce schism (audio)
Definition of schismnext
1
as in discord
a lack of agreement or harmony schism within the charitable organization was preventing it from achieving its goals

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in split
the act or process of a whole separating into two or more parts or pieces the schism of the Christian church into the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of schism Hussein’s killing cemented the schism between Sunni and Shiite Islam and remains a powerful symbol of resistance against oppression and injustice. — Fadi Tawil, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026 Even for a party accustomed to searing debates between progressives and moderates, the schism over Israel has been blistering. — Steve Peoples, Fortune, 24 June 2026 The schism prompted Faye to fire Sonko and dissolve his government before appointing new ministers. — Jenny Vaughan, semafor.com, 24 June 2026 In England, the schism reshaped the relationship between church and state. — Peter C. Mancall, The Conversation, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for schism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for schism
  1. discord
  2. split
  3. strife
  4. dissolution
  5. friction
  6. breakup
  7. conflict
  8. division
Noun
  • But the discord between the two leaders stretches far beyond disagreements over the conflict in the Middle East.
    — Tiago Ventura, Time, 24 June 2026
  • Despite the discord, the regime is likely to have the final say.
    — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 14 June 2026
Definition of discord
Noun
  • In any case, a deal couldn’t even take place for a few years due to the tax implications of the split.
    — Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • The service gives creators a 70/30 revenue split in a bid to attract independent filmmakers such as Joseph.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 7 July 2026
Definition of split
Noun
  • When her parents — the wonderful June Diane Raphael and Tom Everett Scott — fall into professional reputational strife, the family is forced to relocate to Seattle to rebuild their lives.
    — Scarlett Harris, IndieWire, 6 July 2026
  • But labor strife here is spilling off of the docks and into City Hall, with political implications for Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, himself a former labor organizer who is expected to run for reelection in less than a year.
    — Talia Soglin, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
Definition of strife
Noun
  • The agency continues to struggle with chronic staffing shortages, declining employee morale, and the recent dissolution of its union relationship.
    — Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
  • Following the abrupt dissolution of Disney’s $1 billion investment in OpenAI’s Sora text-to-video app, Shin stressed that there are no plans to use A24’s existing IP to create GenAI tools.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 26 June 2026
Definition of dissolution
Noun
  • Other insiders dispute this characterization, saying Gunn, Safran and Gillespie had the normal amount of healthy friction any filmmaker and studio have as part of the process of making a movie better.
    — Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 3 July 2026
  • The energy is stored as rotational momentum in an environment of near-zero friction.
    — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 3 July 2026
Definition of friction
Noun
  • The 45-second clip features Oasis’ rowdy crowds and hints at rehearsal footage as Noel and Liam Gallagher talk about their reunion years after Oasis’ acrimonious breakup.
    — Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 4 July 2026
  • The track is about cautiously opening yourself up to a new relationship after a painful breakup, finding comfort in someone who appreciates the very qualities a former partner criticized.
    — Jane LaCroix, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026
Definition of breakup
Noun
  • The conflict has killed at least 59,000 people, displaced some 13 million and pushed many parts of Sudan into famine.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • After more than four years of war between Russia and Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has made a rare admission that the conflict has caused his country a problem.
    — Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 7 July 2026
Definition of conflict
Noun
  • Miki Sudo defended her title as well in the women’s division.
    — Kyla Guilfoil, NBC news, 5 July 2026
  • The Dodgers claimed a series win in the four-game home set against their division rival, with the chance to sweep Sunday.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
Definition of division

Browse Nearby Words

scheming (out)
schism
schismatic
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Cite this Entry

“Schism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/schism. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on schism

Nglish: Translation of schism for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about schism

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