Meaning & use
schismatics
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“schismatics” is a form of “schismatic”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meaning
nounplural
People who break away from an established church or religious group because of a disagreement over beliefs.
Grammar: Plural noun; the singular is 'schismatic'. Takes a plural verb: 'The schismatics were expelled.'
Patterns
- the schismatics
- a group of schismatics
The council declared the schismatics to be outside the true church.
In the 16th century, schismatics in several countries formed new Protestant denominations.
The bishop tried to reconcile the schismatics with the main body of believers.
Word forms
| singular | schismatic |
|---|
Common combinations
- religious schismatics
- The government treated religious schismatics with suspicion.
- lead the schismatics
- A charismatic preacher led the schismatics out of the national church.
- condemn the schismatics
- The pope condemned the schismatics for dividing the faithful.
Synonyms and how they differ
- heretics
- Heretics hold beliefs that contradict official doctrine, while schismatics separate from the church organization; a person can be both, but the focus differs.
- dissidents
- Dissidents disagree with authority in any context, not just religion; schismatics specifically cause a split in a religious body.
Opposites
Word family
- schism noun
- A split or division within a group, especially a church.
- schismatic adjective
- Describing someone or something that causes or relates to a schism.
Commonly confused: schismatics or schizophrenics?
schismatics vs schizophrenics
Schizophrenics are people with a severe mental disorder; schismatics are people who split from a church. The words sound somewhat similar but have completely different meanings.
Practice
The church leaders met to discuss how to bring the __________ back into the fold.
Choose one answer.
The blank needs a plural noun for people, so 'schismatics' is correct. 'Schisms' are the divisions themselves, not the people; 'schismatic' is singular or an adjective, and 'schismatically' is an adverb.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “schismatics”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.