secessionists

plural of secessionist
as in rebels
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 secessionists If nothing is done, the secessionists may achieve success simply for lack of opposition. U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for secessionists
Noun
  • He was convicted in 2009 of human rights abuses in the fight against the rebels, and later of corruption charges.
    ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026
  • He was convicted in 2009 of human rights abuses in the fight against the rebels and, later on, corruption charges.
    Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
Noun
  • The establishment’s theory of the case has always been that popular insurgents are too risky, too unpolished, too outside the lane.
    Tad Devine, Fortune, 7 July 2026
  • Fujimori, 51, is the daughter of late President Alberto Fujimori, who governed the country ​with an iron fist from 1990 to 2000 and was credited with defeating Maoist insurgents and taming runaway hyperinflation.
    Reuters, NBC news, 4 July 2026
Noun
  • But among the radicals of Eugene, such success invited mistrust, born of a faith that any American victory was, ultimately, being purchased in blood.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 2026
  • In the early days of the republic, there were many radicals and reformers who shared my suspicion that patriotism was an evasion, substituting songs and speeches about liberty for the reality.
    Dominic Erdozain, Time, 3 July 2026
Noun
  • More than 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were systematically ‌massacred in the East African ⁠nation by Hutu extremists over roughly 100 days from April ⁠to July 1994.
    Reuters, NBC news, 1 July 2026
  • Opportunists like the daycare group, which was selling weapons, and extremists — not the hobbyists.
    Jack Crosbie, Rolling Stone, 17 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Secessionists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secessionists. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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