secessionist

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
Noun
  • So there is such a powerful underline of her character, this sort of fierce rebel constantly wanting to find out the truth, constantly aware of her surroundings, aware of everything.
    Hunter Ingram, Variety, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Alongside Garfield’s Ploughman is Cosmo Jarvis as the true historical figure Wat Tyler, Jamie Bell as clergyman John Ball and Thomasin McKenzie as fellow rebel Alyce.
    Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Ruby Ridge is where white separatist Randy Weaver barricaded himself, his family, and a friend in a remote Idaho cabin after refusing to appear in court on federal weapons charges.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2026
  • In 2005, for example, former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari brought Indonesian officials together with exiled Acehnese separatist leaders to end a decades-long insurgency in Aceh, a province on Sumatra.
    Matt Waldman, Foreign Affairs, 13 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The festival was an impressive feat of planning and production, an execution of vision that may or may not translate into alternative, insurgent thought or actions.
    Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The insecurity landscape is also more chaotic because some groups, after initially being invited to help defend against insurgents, turned into terrorists, said Dengiyefa Angalapu, an analyst at the Center for Democracy and Development in Abuja.
    Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Nearly 3,000 people died as a result of the attacks, including the 19 hijackers from the Islamist extremist group al-Qaida.
    Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Studying extremists These two cases force researchers to grapple with how knowledge about violent movements is actually produced.
    Arie Perliger, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Secessionist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secessionist. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

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