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 group, formed in 1970 to oppose Vatican II modernizations, has quietly become a parallel church operating globally with 733 priests, 264 seminarians and 50 nationalities despite decades of schism.
—
Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
At a time when the regime is desperate to project a united front against the US and Israel, discontent over who can do what online is creating a very public schism across a swathe of Iranian society.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 10 May 2026
The schism was partially resolved through high-level meetings between the agencies and a memorandum of understanding forged last August.
—Joe Rubin, Sacbee.com, 6 May 2026
Coming up in the nineteen-sixties, his childhood coincided with a schism in Black politics.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for schism
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Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
At a time when the regime is desperate to project a united front against the US and Israel, discontent over who can do what online is creating a very public schism across a swathe of Iranian society.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 10 May 2026
The schism was partially resolved through high-level meetings between the agencies and a memorandum of understanding forged last August.
—Joe Rubin, Sacbee.com, 6 May 2026
Coming up in the nineteen-sixties, his childhood coincided with a schism in Black politics.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for schism
Cite this Entry
“Schism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/schism. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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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