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
Watch The Fall Guy on Amazon Prime Video Civil War
In this A24 dystopian thriller, America is mired in a brutal civil war between a dictatorial federal government and secessionist factions.
—
James Mercadante, People.com, 29 Aug. 2025
One of the American men involved has made a list of Trump supporters in Greenland, with the goal of later recruiting them to establish a secessionist movement on the island, according to the broadcaster.
—Henrik Pettersson, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2025
As analysts have previously told Newsweek, even those critical of the Islamic Republic often rally behind the central government in the face of external threats and secessionist movements.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for secessionist
James Mercadante, People.com, 29 Aug. 2025
One of the American men involved has made a list of Trump supporters in Greenland, with the goal of later recruiting them to establish a secessionist movement on the island, according to the broadcaster.
—Henrik Pettersson, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2025
As analysts have previously told Newsweek, even those critical of the Islamic Republic often rally behind the central government in the face of external threats and secessionist movements.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for secessionist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for secessionist
Noun
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In Syria, rebels overthrew Assad last year, Israeli strikes killed Hezbollah and Hamas’ top leaders, while Iraqi militant groups faded into the background.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
12 Oct. 2025
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In Valentin's case, his love for Molina, and in Cassian's, his love for adoptive mother, Maarva (Fiona Shaw), girlfriend Bix (Adria Arjona), and the other rebels with whom he's aligned himself.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Cameroon, with its longstanding Anglophone separatist insurgency and jihadists forcing thousands to flee their homes, is particularly at risk.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
10 Oct. 2025
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The plot thickened last year when Canadian authorities linked Bishnoi to the targeting of Sikh separatists on its soil, including the killing of activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was gunned down in British Columbia in 2023.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The best challenger brands think like cultural insurgents.—
Erik Huberman,
Rolling Stone,
10 Oct. 2025
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Islamist insurgents have since May attacked Malian and foreign-owned businesses, including cement factories, sugar factories, and mines.—
Preeti Jha,
semafor.com,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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For too long in Kansas, the Republican Party has been dominated by extremists who see no room for moderation or bipartisanship, let alone unity or mutual respect.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
15 Oct. 2025
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So what happens when extremists wear their clothes?—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
15 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Secessionist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secessionist. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
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