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
There are still some trustbusters in the administration, especially at the FTC, which has avoided being pulled into messy lobbyist fights and White House schisms.
—
Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 14 Feb. 2026
The fracturing of the television audience parallels the schisms in America’s political culture, with viewers and voters increasingly sheltering in partisan echo chambers.
—Karrin Vasby Anderson, Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2026
The flashpoint moment of Gezi Park, the terrorist attacks, the resumed conflict with Kurdish separatists, the schism between Gülen and Erdoğan, all of this was outside my glittery bubble of understanding.
—Literary Hub, 10 Feb. 2026
Barbier points to a schism between auteur films.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for schism
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.
Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 14 Feb. 2026
The fracturing of the television audience parallels the schisms in America’s political culture, with viewers and voters increasingly sheltering in partisan echo chambers.
—Karrin Vasby Anderson, Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2026
The flashpoint moment of Gezi Park, the terrorist attacks, the resumed conflict with Kurdish separatists, the schism between Gülen and Erdoğan, all of this was outside my glittery bubble of understanding.
—Literary Hub, 10 Feb. 2026
Barbier points to a schism between auteur films.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 10 Feb. 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 18 Feb. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
