separatist

noun

sep·​a·​rat·​ist ˈse-p(ə-)rə-tist 

ˈse-pə-ˌrā-

: one that favors separatism: such as

a

Separatist : one of a group of 16th and 17th century English Protestants preferring to separate from rather than to reform the Church of England

b

: an advocate of independence or autonomy for a part of a political unit (such as a nation)

c

: an advocate of racial or cultural separation

separatist adjective

separatistic

ˌse-p(ə-)rə-ˈti-stik 

adjective

Examples of separatist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The potential military involvement of the Kurds has raised tensions with other Iranian opposition groups — notably the faction led by the former shah’s son, Reza Pahlavi, who has accused the Kurds of being separatists aiming to carve up Iran. —Stella Martany, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026

Also, many officials expressed broad concern about the Kurdish fighters expected to enter Iran, saying that injecting sectarian conflict into the already combustible situation will be detrimental and also cause friction with Turkey, which fears Kurdish separatists. —Margaret Brennan, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026

Turkey considers the main Kurdish dissident group, PJAK, a terrorist group with links to separatists fighting Turkey. —ABC News, 5 Mar. 2026

The Canadian government had accused Indian Minister of Home Affairs Amit Shah, a close ally of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, of plotting to target Sikh separatists in Canada. —Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 3 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1608, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing separatist

• anti-separatist

Kids Definition

separatist

noun

sep·​a·​rat·​ist ˈsep(-ə)-rət-əst 

: a person who favors separation (as from a church or party)

separatism

-rə-ˌtiz-əm

noun

separatist adjective