as in rebel
a person who thinks that a nation, state, etc., should separate from another and become independent
A growing group of secessionists are pushing for the independence of the region.
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Recent Examples of secessionist
Juneteenth commemorates the complete enactment of the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed enslaved African Americans in secessionist states – signed by former President Abraham Lincoln on Jan. 1, 1863.
—
Greta Cross, USA Today, 19 June 2025
However, most countries are loath to encourage secessionist movements.
—Kate Bartlett, Christian Science Monitor, 12 June 2025
The border state had been rife with turmoil as secessionists street brawled with unionists about whose side Maryland should join.
—Zaakir Tameez
june 11, Literary Hub, 11 June 2025
Trump’s world, however, will hardly guarantee more success for secessionists.
—Ryan D. Griffiths, Foreign Affairs, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for secessionist
Greta Cross, USA Today, 19 June 2025
However, most countries are loath to encourage secessionist movements.
—Kate Bartlett, Christian Science Monitor, 12 June 2025
The border state had been rife with turmoil as secessionists street brawled with unionists about whose side Maryland should join.
—Zaakir Tameez
june 11, Literary Hub, 11 June 2025
Trump’s world, however, will hardly guarantee more success for secessionists.
—Ryan D. Griffiths, Foreign Affairs, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for secessionist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for secessionist
Noun
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The New York Times in 2015 reported that hundreds of Colombian mercenaries had been sent to Yemen to fight against the Houthi rebels, hired directly — and in secret — by the UAE.—
Rebecca Johns,
Miami Herald,
6 Sep. 2025
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Tapping into your inner rebel as of late, Sagittarius?—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
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That conflict had recently escalated, with pro-Russian separatists seizing key towns in the Donetsk and Luhansk after Russia illegally annexed the peninsula of Crimea in February 2014.—
Anna Batta,
The Conversation,
20 Aug. 2025
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The Kremlin seized control of Crimea, the peninsula to the south of mainland Ukraine, back in 2014, and propped up separatist groups in Donetsk and Luhansk.—
Ellie Cook,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Aug. 2025
Noun
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This might enable a mission which, for example, a Viper is located covertly next to a safe house known to be used by insurgents.—
David Hambling,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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As the occupation wore on, the Iraqis became proficient at building roadside bombs in basements, garages, and other insurgent test kitchens spread across Baghdad and Anbar.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The Middle Belt and northern states are especially volatile, with Islamic militant groups like Boko Haram, Fulani extremists and ISWAP (Islamic State West Africa Province) targeting Christian communities through mass killings, kidnappings and church burnings.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Aug. 2025
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Only the liberals and the extremists do that.—
Tom Tapp,
Deadline,
12 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Secessionist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secessionist. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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