separatist

noun

sep·​a·​rat·​ist ˈse-p(ə-)rə-tist 

ˈse-pə-ˌrā-

: one that favors separatism: such as

a

capitalized : 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

Subsequently, Russia annexed Crimea, pro-Russian separatists proclaimed the independence of the oblasts that comprise the Donbas region, and the Russo-Ukrainian war began. —Clare Morell, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025

The oil-rich province is home to a small but dedicated minority of separatists. —Amber Bracken, New York Times, 22 May 2025

Crisis when a radical Quebec separatist group, the Front de Libération du Québec (FLQ), kidnapped high profile politicians to escalate their battle for independence from Canada and lead Ottawa to impose the War Measures Act. —Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 18 May 2025

Related article Kurdish separatist leader calls on followers to disarm, potentially ending a five-decade insurgency with Turkey In March, the PKK declared an immediate ceasefire after Ocalan called on fighters to lay down their arms and dissolve the group. —Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 12 May 2025

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