separatist

noun

sep·​a·​rat·​ist ˈse-p(ə-)rə-tist How to pronounce separatist (audio)
ˈse-pə-ˌrā-
: one that favors separatism: such as
a
capitalized : one of a group of 16th and 17th century English Protestants preferring to separate from rather than to reform the Church of England
b
: an advocate of independence or autonomy for a part of a political unit (such as a nation)
c
: an advocate of racial or cultural separation
separatist adjective
separatistic adjective

Examples of separatist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The breakaway region became a template for what has since been a drive by Russia to keep its influence in former Soviet lands by supporting separatists: first in Moldova, then in Georgia and in eastern Ukraine. Andrew Higgins, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2025 Chechen separatists have also attacked Russian planes in the past. Harriet Marsden, theweek, 27 Dec. 2024 To achieve stability, any new Syrian government must guarantee Israel’s security from cross-border attacks by Islamist fighters and guarantee Turkey’s security and territorial integrity against Kurdish separatists. David D. Kirkpatrick, The New Yorker, 18 Dec. 2024 Much of the latter two, which comprise of the wider Donbas region, had been controlled by pro-Russian separatists since 2014, the year that Moscow illegally annexed Crimea. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for separatist 

Word History

First Known Use

1608, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of separatist was in 1608

Dictionary Entries Near separatist

Cite this Entry

“Separatist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/separatist. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

separatist

noun
sep·​a·​rat·​ist ˈsep(-ə)-rət-əst How to pronounce separatist (audio)
: a person who favors separation (as from a church or party)
separatism
-rə-ˌtiz-əm
noun
separatist adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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