schismatic
Breaks from orthodoxy
Schismatic describes someone who causes or supports a split within a group, especially a religious organization.
A schismatic faction breaks away over doctrine or authority: The schismatic bishops refused to recognize the new pope.
As a noun, a schismatic is a person who promotes such division.
The word carries disapproval—schismatics are seen as divisive rather than principled dissenters.
Challenger of official doctrine
- apostateOne who renounces faith
- dissenterOpponent of orthodoxy
- dissidentOpposer of established systems
- separatistAdvocate for breaking away
nonconformist · defector · renegade · breakaway · sectary · splitter · factionalist · reformer
Rigidly devoted to faction
- denominationalRelating to religious sects
- factionalOf competing subgroups
- partisanBiased toward one side
- doctrinalOf official beliefs
theological · ecclesiastical · confessional · separatist · splinter group · sect · faction · communion
Separation into parts
- riftCrack or estrangement
- fissureNarrow crack in rock
- ruptureViolent tearing apart
- cleavageTendency to split cleanly
separation · fracture · breach · severance · disunion · partition · bifurcation · fragmentation
Lack of agreement
- strifeAngry, prolonged conflict
- divisionSplitting into parts
- contentionAssertion or rivalry
- disputeVerbal clash over differences
controversy · antagonism · disunity · factionalism · infighting · polarization · estrangement · alienation
Renunciation of former beliefs
- heterodoxyUnorthodox belief or opinion
- unorthodoxyDeparture from accepted belief
- blasphemyIrreverence toward the sacred
- iconoclasmAttacking revered traditions
dissent · deviation · nonconformity · error · excommunication · anathema · reformation
heretic
Challenger of official doctrine
- apostateOne who renounces faith
- dissenterOpponent of orthodoxy
- dissidentOpposer of established systems
separatist · nonconformist · defector · renegade · breakaway · sectary · splitter · factionalist · reformer · protestor
sectarian
Rigidly devoted to faction
- denominationalRelating to religious sects
- factionalOf competing subgroups
- partisanBiased toward one side
doctrinal · theological · ecclesiastical · confessional · separatist · splinter group · sect · faction · communion · denomination
split
Separation into parts
cleavage · separation · fracture · breach · severance · disunion · partition · bifurcation · fragmentation · divergence
discord
Lack of agreement
- strifeAngry, prolonged conflict
- divisionSplitting into parts
- contentionAssertion or rivalry
dispute · controversy · antagonism · disunity · factionalism · infighting · polarization · estrangement · alienation · acrimony
apostasy
Renunciation of former beliefs
- heterodoxyUnorthodox belief or opinion
- unorthodoxyDeparture from accepted belief
- blasphemyIrreverence toward the sacred
iconoclasm · dissent · deviation · nonconformity · error · excommunication · anathema · reformation
- dissentersdissenter, dissenters, dissidents, dissident, nonconformists
- religious conflictreligious war, holy war, sectarianism, crusade, religious intolerance
- sectarianismsectarianism, sectarian, sect, faction, factionalism
- hereticsheretic, Gnostics, Marcellus, apostate
- heresyheretic, heretical, heretics, apostasy, apostate
- nonbelieversatheist, atheists, agnostic, agnostics, nonbeliever
schismaticunified
Combined into one
unifying · cohesive · consolidating · uniter · united
schismaticorthodox
Conforming to established belief
conformist · faithful · canonical · traditionalist · mainstream
schismaticunifier
One who consolidates
reconciler · peacemaker · harmonizer · bridge-builder · mediator