separatism

noun

Definition of separatismnext
1
as in segregation

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words
2
as in sectarianism

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 separatism Amid the Cold War, Indonesian leaders feared that an independent East Timor would fuel separatism and fall under communist influence. — Agathe Demarolle, Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Mar. 2026 The stance aligns with China’s own sensitivities over sovereignty and separatism. — Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 9 Jan. 2026 In contrast to other, more mainstream Civil Rights organizations, SNCC leaders began to emphasize Black separatism, which alienated white participants. — Time, 7 Aug. 2025 Lubchansky’s sophomore graphic novel explores the limits of utopian separatism, the downsides to trying to work against an oppressive system from the inside, and how communities can defend themselves and win. — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for separatism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for separatism
  1. segregation
  2. apostasy
  3. schism
  4. defection
  5. misconception
  6. scission
Noun
  • Morrison helped lead the racist white supremacy campaign of 1898 that terrorized Black citizens and led to policies of segregation, The Observer previously reported.
    — Chase Jordan July 23, Charlotte Observer, 23 July 2026
  • Well, thank God the Dodgers broke baseball’s longstanding tradition of segregation long before Roberts, who is Black and Japanese American, was born!
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026
Definition of segregation
Noun
  • When every disagreement with Israeli government policy became, in your telling, the first step toward apostasy?
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 6 July 2026
  • Marc makes an example of the penitent, powerless Jeanne, reminding the rest of his flock of the punishment for apostasy and using her rough time among the heathens as proof of why none under his control should ever want to trade his order for such modern sin and depravity.
    — Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2026
Definition of apostasy
Noun
  • Millions of pilgrims converge on the holy city of Karbala, south of Baghdad, for Arbaeen, the 40th day of mourning for the killing of Imam Hussein 14 centuries ago, a definitive event in the schism between Shia and Sunni Islam.
    — Jane Arraf, NPR, 30 July 2026
  • To waste all these resources on some esoteric arty thing, that’s when the schism started to happen for me.
    — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 29 July 2026
Definition of schism
Noun
  • If James’ defection seems destined to peel casual NBA viewers away from the Lake Show, the subsequent heightened interest for the teams repping the I-95 megalopolis should go a long way toward helping shore up the league’s national deliveries.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 27 July 2026
  • Gang Seong brings Ri Eung-ryeong back to North Korea, where he is presumably punished for his defection.
    — Kayti Burt, Time, 27 July 2026
Definition of defection
Noun
  • Another misconception is that people with debt are irresponsible.
    — Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 30 July 2026
  • The tragedy sparked a broader conversation online, with survivors of domestic abuse and supporters of Gilson pushing back at the misconceptions victims often face in unhealthy or dangerous relationships.
    — Rachel Hale, USA Today, 28 July 2026
Definition of misconception
Noun
  • When the nucleus ultimately disintegrates, these pieces move apart rapidly and the neck snaps quickly, a process known as scission.
    — Charles Q. Choi, Scientific American, 24 Feb. 2021
  • The structure is easily broken down in a reaction called scission (like scissors), which tears up the polymer chain.
    — Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 5 Aug. 2020
Definition of scission

Browse Nearby Words

separations
separatism
separatisms
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Separatism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/separatism. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on separatism

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about separatism

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of élan

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All