scission

noun

ˈsi-zhən How to pronounce scission (audio)
Definition of scissionnext
as in dissolution
the act or process of a whole separating into two or more parts or pieces fears that the scission of the labor union will compromise the workers' bargaining power

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of scission When the nucleus ultimately disintegrates, these pieces move apart rapidly and the neck snaps quickly, a process known as scission. — Charles Q. Choi, Scientific American, 24 Feb. 2021 The structure is easily broken down in a reaction called scission (like scissors), which tears up the polymer chain. — Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 5 Aug. 2020 Using IVs that are sanitized between trees, park service workers make a minimally invasive scission in order to treat the tree, according to Jason Gillis, park arborist for National Mall and Memorial Parks. — Paulina Smolinski, USA TODAY, 19 Aug. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scission
  1. dissolution
  2. split
  3. breakup
  4. partition
  5. division
  6. schism
Noun
  • The dissolution of the ghettos in the eighteenth century could be interpreted as tearing down barriers, but now poverty set in and the wealthy separated from those who formerly shared a similar destiny.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The potential dissolution of the Hapag-ZIM deal follows the collapse of one of the largest and fastest-growing container lines in the world.
    — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of dissolution
Noun
  • Terrazas described the split within the millennial generation itself as one of the sharpest findings.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 18 Aug. 2026
  • But over time, the split between AI-easy and AI-hard changes, with much more of the work being AI-easy.
    — Bill Conerly, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of split
Noun
  • Beanie Bishop, one of the team’s newest corners, had two interceptions and a pass breakup.
    — Kevin Fishbain, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • In the second half, interior defensive lineman Leki Fotu, who started the game on defense, nearly intercepted a Carson Wentz pass with some good anticipation and a pass breakup underneath.
    — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of breakup
Noun
  • These booths with partitions that closed you off from the nearby tables.
    — Emma Cline, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2026
  • In June 2021, Curtin walked into a police station in Peterborough and slid one of the letters under the glass partition.
    — Zander Sherman, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of partition
Noun
  • Unfortunately, he has been reduced to a shadow of the fighter who once made his mark in the featherweight and lightweight divisions.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Even as the 2024-25 season hoved into view, the phone failed to ring, prompting James to wonder if this really was it for a senior career that, up to then, had been spent exclusively in the top two divisions of the English game.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of division
Noun
  • The lasting schism among religious groups would ultimately be linked to the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi (1948) and that of Indira Gandhi (1984).
    — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026
  • But the Kirtland church community soon experienced schisms and conflicts over doctrine, money and authority.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of schism

Browse Nearby Words

scions
scission
scissions
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP

Cite this Entry

“Scission.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scission. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of august

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All