Dissenting groups (5)
I believe the answer is:
sects
'dissenting groups' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for sects that I've seen before include "Groups of people with divergent religious beliefs" , "Groups of people with unconventional religious beliefs" , "Schools of thought" , "Small religious groups" , "Religious factions" .)