1
2
a
: formal division in or separation from a church or religious body
b
: the offense of promoting schism
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
The Catholic Church faces similar challenges but so far has been able to avoid schisms by limiting the actual changes being made.
—
Dennis Doyle, The Conversation, 8 May 2025
But as President Trump exerts near-total control over the Republican Party, and the country seems bitterly divided along partisan lines more than ever, the G.O.P. schism in Montana has attracted outsize attention.
—Will Warasila, New York Times, 3 May 2025
The Canucks, one of the league’s most disappointing teams this season, have a fractured locker room due to a schism between Pettersson and J.T. Miller.
—Cory Lavalette, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025
This meant that working within an executive structure which was not always aligned allowed schisms to grow and cliques to foster.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for schism
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Dennis Doyle, The Conversation, 8 May 2025
But as President Trump exerts near-total control over the Republican Party, and the country seems bitterly divided along partisan lines more than ever, the G.O.P. schism in Montana has attracted outsize attention.
—Will Warasila, New York Times, 3 May 2025
The Canucks, one of the league’s most disappointing teams this season, have a fractured locker room due to a schism between Pettersson and J.T. Miller.
—Cory Lavalette, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025
This meant that working within an executive structure which was not always aligned allowed schisms to grow and cliques to foster.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for schism
Cite this Entry
“Schism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/schism. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
1
b
: lack of harmony : discord
2
a
: division in or separation from a church or religious body
b
: the offense of promoting schism
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