separatist

noun

sep·​a·​rat·​ist ˈse-p(ə-)rə-tist How to pronounce separatist (audio)
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 adjective

Examples of separatist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
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 The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a militant separatist group, has claimed responsibility for the attack. Asim Khan, Saleem Mehsud and Sophia Saifi, CNN, 11 Mar. 2025 The Minsk agreements are a set of deals aimed at ending the fighting between Ukrainian armed forces and Russian separatists. Henry Austin, NBC News, 2 Mar. 2025 Pakistan claims those separatists are backed by Indian intelligence. Diaa Hadid, NPR, 7 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for separatist

Word History

First Known Use

1608, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of separatist was in 1608

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Separatist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/separatist. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

separatist

noun
sep·​a·​rat·​ist ˈsep(-ə)-rət-əst How to pronounce separatist (audio)
: a person who favors separation (as from a church or party)
separatism
-rə-ˌtiz-əm
noun
separatist adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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