secessionist

noun

Definition of secessionistnext
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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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of secessionist Analysts sympathetic to Riyadh say Saudi policy is to defend state sovereignty and regional order, accusing Abu Dhabi of empowering secessionists to maintain influence in failing states. — Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 19 Jan. 2026 The southern Philippines once drew small numbers of foreign militants aligned with the Islamic State group or al-Qaeda to train in a secessionist conflict involving minority Muslims in the largely Catholic nation. — CNN Money, 30 Dec. 2025 The southern Philippines once drew small numbers of foreign militants aligned with ISIS or al Qaeda to train in a secessionist conflict involving minority Muslims in the largely Catholic nation. — CBS News, 30 Dec. 2025 There are religiously motivated ones targeting both Christians and Muslims, clashes between farmers and herders over dwindling resources, communal rivalries, secessionist groups and ethnic clashes. — Fortune, 26 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for secessionist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for secessionist
  1. rebel
  2. separatist
  3. insurgent
  4. extremist
Noun
  • In one of the videos, the rebels were seen opening fire on some soldiers lying on the ground.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 July 2026
  • Many rebels believed the burden of repaying the public debt fell disproportionately on common people while benefiting elites.
    — Donovan Fifield, The Conversation, 16 July 2026
Definition of rebel
Noun
  • Iranian authorities, in turn, view armed Kurdish factions as separatist or terrorist threats, especially groups such as PJAK, which has clashed for years with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps along Iran’s western border.
    — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026
  • Christianity, then, is not a separatist, otherworldly faith.
    — Peter Wehner, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026
Definition of separatist
Noun
  • But Democratic leaders fear that the insurgent candidates risk blowing winnable races for Democrats with messages considered too radical for most voters.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 July 2026
  • Across the country, insurgent candidates-—-perhaps most notably Zohran Mamdani in New York City—have found traction by presenting themselves as unapologetic fighters willing to challenge both Republicans and their own party’s leadership.
    — Nik Popli, Time, 8 July 2026
Definition of insurgent
Noun
  • Rushdie has spent almost 40 years under threat of death from Islamic extremists after the Ayatollah Khomeini issued a fatwa against him, claiming Rushdie’s novel The Satanic Verses blasphemed Islam and mocked the Prophet Muhammad.
    — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 14 July 2026
  • Labour lawmaker Jo Cox was shot and stabbed in 2016 by a far-right extremist, and Conservative David Amess was stabbed in 2021 by an attacker inspired by the Islamic State group.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 July 2026
Definition of extremist

Browse Nearby Words

secerns
secessionist
secessionists
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Cite this Entry

“Secessionist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secessionist. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on secessionist

Nglish: Translation of secessionist for Spanish Speakers

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