separatist

noun

sep·a·rat·ist | \ ˈse-p(ə-)rə-tist

, ˈse-pə-ˌrā-\

Definition of separatist

: 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

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The showdown came amid the long-simmering conflict between the two countries, in which Russia annexed Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula in 2014 and supported separatists in Ukraine’s east with clandestine dispatches of troops and weapons. — Yuras Karmanau, The Seattle Times, "Putin derides Ukraine’s martial law as political trick," 28 Nov. 2018 Russia's annexation of the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine has caused anxiety in Poland and elsewhere, as Moscow has continued to support separatists in eastern Ukraine. — Gregg Re, Fox News, "Polish president proposes permanent US base called 'Fort Trump,' despite NATO restriction," 18 Sep. 2018 Other members dismissed the suggestion as inappropriate because the Kremlin continued to support rebel separatists in eastern Ukraine. — Andrew E. Kramer, BostonGlobe.com, "Trump, Putin to hold summit, officials say," 27 June 2018 China claims Tibet has been part of its territory for more than seven centuries and regards the Dalai Lama as a dangerous separatist. — Christopher Bodeen, The Seattle Times, "China closes Tibet to foreigners for sensitive anniversaries," 19 Feb. 2019 Other armed groups taking part in the chaotic civil war, including southern separatists and local militias, will not be taking part in this week’s talks. — Brian Rohan, The Seattle Times, "Expectations low as Yemen’s warring parties meet for talks," 4 Dec. 2018 Human rights groups have accused both the government and separatists of abuses including torture and the burning of homes. — Fox News, "Women protest abuses in Cameroon Anglophone separatist fight," 7 Sep. 2018 Chechnya, a predominantly Muslim region in southern Russia, was devastated by wars between separatists and Russian forces. — Hemza Hendawi, chicagotribune.com, "Reports: Salah considering retirement from Egypt due to Chechnya controversy," 25 June 2018 But the coming months could be difficult for Sanchez to navigate, with a minority Socialist government needing to please Basque regionalists, Catalan separatists and anti-austerity parties in order to pass legislation in Parliament. — Aritz Parra, BostonGlobe.com, "Spain’s government is poised to fall; Socialists set to take the helm," 31 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'separatist.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.