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
But some analysts fear that recognizing Somaliland could disrupt the region, strengthen groups like Al Shabab and upset close U.S. allies like Egypt, Turkey and the African Union, who fear the move would set a precedent for secessionist movements across Africa.
—
Abdi Latif Dahir, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
In the short term, that means the West must punish secessionists.
—Ismet Fatih Cancar, Foreign Affairs, 9 Apr. 2025
Dodik and other secessionist leaders will realize that nothing is stopping them from dismantling the remaining Bosnian institutions in their territory.
—Ismet Fatih Cancar, Foreign Affairs, 9 Apr. 2025
An Austrian secessionist painted iron center table by Thonet stands atop a circa 1900 Russian Bessarabian wool rug in the two-story entrance hall.
—David Foxley, Architectural Digest, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for secessionist
Abdi Latif Dahir, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
In the short term, that means the West must punish secessionists.
—Ismet Fatih Cancar, Foreign Affairs, 9 Apr. 2025
Dodik and other secessionist leaders will realize that nothing is stopping them from dismantling the remaining Bosnian institutions in their territory.
—Ismet Fatih Cancar, Foreign Affairs, 9 Apr. 2025
An Austrian secessionist painted iron center table by Thonet stands atop a circa 1900 Russian Bessarabian wool rug in the two-story entrance hall.
—David Foxley, Architectural Digest, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for secessionist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for secessionist
Noun
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The attackers were members of the Islamist Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a sanctioned rebel group with roots in Uganda.—
Paul Tilsley,
FOXNews.com,
31 July 2025
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth divulged classified information in March from battlefield commanders about the U.S. attack on Houthi rebels in a chat on the commercial messaging app Signal, according to a U.S. official.—
Tom Vanden Brook,
USA Today,
24 July 2025
Noun
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China currently refuses to engage with President Lai, with Chinese officials branding him as a separatist and supporter of Taiwan's current status.—
Jan Camenzind Broomby,
NPR,
26 July 2025
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The Nobel laureate is regarded as one of the world’s most influential religious leaders, with a following that extends well beyond Buddhism, but not by Beijing, which calls him a separatist and has sought to bring the faith under its control.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
6 July 2025
Noun
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Prosecutors allege that Carvajal played a key role in coordinating large-scale cocaine shipments to the United States, using his official position to protect narcotics operations and facilitate deals with foreign insurgent groups, most notably Colombia’s FARC.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
25 June 2025
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Inside is the man who arrived at Balenciaga as a 34-year old insurgent from Vetements in 2015, and is now moving on, aged 44, as one of the undisputed creative director titans of luxury fashion, charged to revive the flagging fortunes of Gucci.—
Sarah Mower,
Vogue,
24 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Secessionist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secessionist. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
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