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

Armed insurgencies by Boko Haram in the north and separatists in the west, along with a stagnant economy, have left many young people disillusioned with the leader. — ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026

Houthi separatists in Yemen used aerial drones to close off the southern end of the Red Sea in the early 2020s, blocking a key alternate route for oil shipments around the Strait of Hormuz. — Amy Myers Jaffe, The Conversation, 4 Aug. 2026

In the second day of a standoff in Ruby Ridge, Idaho, an FBI sniper opened fire on white separatist Randy Weaver, killing his wife, Vicki. — USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026

The new commander, Drapatyi, fought across the war’s toughest front lines, and video was even recycled on his appointment on Tuesday of him driving an armored personnel carrier through a pro-Russian separatist barricade in 2014. — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 22 July 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