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
But some analysts fear that recognizing Somaliland could disrupt the region, strengthen groups like Al Shabab and upset close U.S. allies like Egypt, Turkey and the African Union, who fear the move would set a precedent for secessionist movements across Africa.
—
Abdi Latif Dahir, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
In the short term, that means the West must punish secessionists.
—Ismet Fatih Cancar, Foreign Affairs, 9 Apr. 2025
Dodik and other secessionist leaders will realize that nothing is stopping them from dismantling the remaining Bosnian institutions in their territory.
—Ismet Fatih Cancar, Foreign Affairs, 9 Apr. 2025
An Austrian secessionist painted iron center table by Thonet stands atop a circa 1900 Russian Bessarabian wool rug in the two-story entrance hall.
—David Foxley, Architectural Digest, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for secessionist
Abdi Latif Dahir, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
In the short term, that means the West must punish secessionists.
—Ismet Fatih Cancar, Foreign Affairs, 9 Apr. 2025
Dodik and other secessionist leaders will realize that nothing is stopping them from dismantling the remaining Bosnian institutions in their territory.
—Ismet Fatih Cancar, Foreign Affairs, 9 Apr. 2025
An Austrian secessionist painted iron center table by Thonet stands atop a circa 1900 Russian Bessarabian wool rug in the two-story entrance hall.
—David Foxley, Architectural Digest, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for secessionist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for secessionist
Noun
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The Houthis paused attacks until the U.S. launched a broad assault against the rebels in mid-March.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
8 July 2025
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Shortly after that, Israeli airstrikes on Iranian weapons shipments to Hezbollah across neighboring Syria — at the time, a key ally of Iran — weakened the dictatorship of President Bashar al-Assad, who was overthrown last December by rebels.—
James Hider,
NPR,
7 July 2025
Noun
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The Dalai Lama outlined a succession process that puts him and the religion even more at odds with Beijing, which has long accused him of being a separatist and insisted on exercising influence over Tibetan Buddhist leadership.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
2 July 2025
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Khomeini declared jihad against Kurdish resistance groups, labeling them infidels, separatists and agents of Israel and the United States.—
Shukriya Bradost,
The Conversation,
28 June 2025
Noun
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The warning issue June 11 said terrorist and insurgent groups regularly attacked Iraqi security forces and civilians and anti-U.S. militias threatened U.S. citizens and international companies.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
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The Iranian regime has held Americans hostage and supported terrorists and insurgents who have killed U.S. service members in Lebanon and Iraq.—
Reid Smith,
Foreign Affairs,
18 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Secessionist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secessionist. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
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