SCHISMATIC Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

schismatic 1 of 2

adjective

variants also schismatical

Definition of schismatic

as in sectarian

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

schismatic

2 of 2

noun

as in separatist

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 schismatic

Adjective

This action will constitute 'a schismatic act,' and 'formal adherence to the schism constitutes a grave offense against God and entails the excommunication established by the law of the Church'. — Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2026 Given that Pakistan is home to over 20 million Shia Muslims—the second largest cohort in the world after Iran—open warfare with the only nation with more would be schismatic internally. — Charlie Campbell, Time, 9 Apr. 2026

Noun

In 1935, Pope Pius XI openly supported the invasion of Ethiopia as a crusade against a country of heretics, schismatics, pagans, and infidels. — Ian Campbell, Foreign Affairs, 22 Feb. 2022 How much backing the schismatics might have among AK voters is unclear. — The Economist, 6 June 2019 See All Example Sentences for schismatic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for schismatic

Adjective

In the months after Assad’s fall in Syria, there were several eruptions of violence between groups loyal and opposed to al-Sharaa that spiraled into sectarian revenge attacks, in which Sunni Islamist fighters affiliated with the new government carried out attacks on Alawite and Druze civilians.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 June 2026
During the Biden administration, the DSA hemorrhaged members amid sectarian infighting, especially over Palestine.

— Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 27 June 2026

Definition of sectarian

Noun

Iranian authorities, in turn, view armed Kurdish factions as separatist or terrorist threats, especially groups such as PJAK, which has clashed for years with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps along Iran’s western border.

— Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026
Christianity, then, is not a separatist, otherworldly faith.

— Peter Wehner, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026

Definition of separatist

Noun

There are Sixties rock bands like the Sonics and the Small Faces, and pioneering hippie renegades like Love or the Thirteenth Floor Elevators.

— Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 24 June 2026
The president can call out the army against seceding states and their renegade congresspeople.

— Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026

Definition of renegade

Browse Nearby Words

schism

schismatic

schismatics

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Schismatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/schismatic. Accessed 13 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of schismatic

adjective

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

implacable

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10

Popular

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes