schism
Congregation tears apart
A schism is a formal split within an organization, typically a religious body, resulting from disagreement over doctrine, leadership, or practice.
The Great Schism of 1054 divided Christianity into Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches, and the word still carries ecclesiastical weight.
More broadly, schism describes any deep division that fractures a formerly unified group: The party suffered a schism over immigration policy.
Unlike a mere disagreement, a schism implies a lasting rupture.
Bitter ongoing rivalry
- disputeVerbal clash over differences
- riftCrack or estrangement
- estrangementEmotional separation between people
- antagonismActive opposition or hostility
hostility · strife · discord · dissension · contention · friction · rupture · falling-out
Separation into parts
- riftCrack or estrangement
- ruptureViolent tearing apart
- breachBreaking of agreement
- fractureSplit in hard material
separation · cleavage · divide · severance · partition · break · fissure · gulf
Process of improving institutions
- excommunicationFormal barring from sacraments
- heresyBelief opposing official doctrine
- apostasyRenunciation of former beliefs
- orthodoxyAdherence to accepted beliefs
papacy · denomination · sect · ecumenism · theology · canon · doctrine · creed
Formal withdrawal from union
- breakawaySudden separation from group
- factionGroup within group
- defectionAbandoning one's loyalty
- splinterThin sharp fragment
disaffiliation · separatism · rebellion · insurrection · revolt · coup · independence · autonomy
Separation into opposing extremes
- extremismIdeology beyond accepted norms
- partisanshipLoyalty to one faction
- orthodoxyAdherence to accepted beliefs
- radicalismPursuit of sweeping change
factionalism · fundamentalism · dogmatism · sectarianism · tribalism · intolerance · divergence · incompatibility
feud
Bitter ongoing rivalry
- disputeVerbal clash over differences
- riftCrack or estrangement
- estrangementEmotional separation between people
antagonism · hostility · strife · discord · dissension · contention · friction · rupture · falling-out · quarrel
split
Separation into parts
fracture · separation · cleavage · divide · severance · partition · break · fissure · gulf · chasm
reformation
Process of improving institutions
- excommunicationFormal barring from sacraments
- heresyBelief opposing official doctrine
- apostasyRenunciation of former beliefs
orthodoxy · papacy · denomination · sect · ecumenism · theology · canon · doctrine · creed · dogma
secession
Formal withdrawal from union
splinter · disaffiliation · separatism · rebellion · insurrection · revolt · coup · independence · autonomy · partition
polarization
Separation into opposing extremes
- extremismIdeology beyond accepted norms
- partisanshipLoyalty to one faction
- orthodoxyAdherence to accepted beliefs
radicalism · factionalism · fundamentalism · dogmatism · sectarianism · tribalism · intolerance · divergence · incompatibility · irreconcilable
- ByzantiumByzantine Empire, Constantinople, Hagia Sophia, Eastern Roman Empire, Byzantium
- Papal Schismsantipope, antipopes, Council of Constance, papal succession, contested election
- religionChristianity, Islam, beliefs, Judaism, Hinduism
- disputesargument, beef, bicker, clash, conflict
- separationsseparate, split, break up, parting, sever
- incompatibilitiesmismatch, conflict, clash, friction, discord
schismunity
Wholeness through cohesion
union · unification · reunification · consolidation · integration
schismharmony
Agreement or musical blend
accord · concord · agreement · concordance · concurrence
- paranoid schizophreniaPsychotic disorder with delusions
- Western SchismPeriod of competing popes
- religious schismDivision within a faith
- Great SchismHistoric Christian church division
- schizophrenia treatmentMedical care for psychotic disorder