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
As a result, the consecration of bishops without papal consent is considered a grave threat to church unity and a cause of schism, since bishops can ordain new priests.
—
Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
The band’s success was stymied by internal schisms, as Negron’s addiction to drugs eventually landed him on Skid Row for a time.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 2 Feb. 2026
His resistance to releasing any more information caused a schism among his supporters (and contributed to the resignation of his longtime ally Marjorie Taylor Greene) and set Congress up for an easy win.
—Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 31 Jan. 2026
The primary has made a growing schism between progressives and democratic socialists in New York City apparent.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for schism
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Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
The band’s success was stymied by internal schisms, as Negron’s addiction to drugs eventually landed him on Skid Row for a time.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 2 Feb. 2026
His resistance to releasing any more information caused a schism among his supporters (and contributed to the resignation of his longtime ally Marjorie Taylor Greene) and set Congress up for an easy win.
—Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 31 Jan. 2026
The primary has made a growing schism between progressives and democratic socialists in New York City apparent.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 30 Jan. 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 15 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
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