Schism

Noun

 * 1) A split or separation within a group or organization, typically caused by discord.
 * 2) A formal division or split within a religious body.
 * 3)  a split within Christianity whereby a group no longer recognizes the Bishop of Rome as the head of the Church, but shares essentially the same beliefs with the Church of Rome. In other words, a political split without the introduction of heresy.

Synonyms

 * : division, separation, split

Antonyms

 * : unity

Related terms

 * schismatic

Thesaurus
affiliation, alienation, apostasy, betrayal, body, bolt, branch, breach, breach of friendship, break, breakaway, chasm, church, cleavage, cleft, communion, community, defection, denomination, dereliction, deserter, desertion, disaffection, disfavor, disruption, dissent, dissidence, disunion, disunity, divergence, dividedness, division, estrangement, faction, falling-out, fellowship, fissure, fracture, group, heterodoxy, misbelief, nonconformism, nonconformity, offshoot, open rupture, order, organization, party, persuasion, ratting, recall of ambassadors, religious order, rent, rift, rupture, school, secession, sect, sectarism, segment, separation, society, split, unorthodoxy, variety, version, walkout