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
And even though the Emancipation Proclamation was made effective, it could not be enforced in secessionist states still under Confederate control, according to the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
—
Brandi D. Addison, Austin American-Statesman, 13 May 2024
In 1994: Russian tanks and troops invaded its largely Muslim territory Chechnya to try to quash the secessionist rebellion after a three-year push for independence that followed the collapse of the Soviet Union.
—Lorenzino Estrada, The Arizona Republic, 11 Dec. 2024
Recognizing Somaliland would undoubtedly rattle the rump state of Somalia, further destabilize the Horn, and elicit a sharp rebuke from the African Union, which has long opposed secessionist movements.
—Ken Opalo, Foreign Affairs, 4 Dec. 2024
Pablo Simón, political science professor at Carlos III University in Madrid, said that the secessionist movement was in a period of uncertain transition.
—Joseph Wilson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 May 2024
See All Example Sentences for secessionist
Brandi D. Addison, Austin American-Statesman, 13 May 2024
In 1994: Russian tanks and troops invaded its largely Muslim territory Chechnya to try to quash the secessionist rebellion after a three-year push for independence that followed the collapse of the Soviet Union.
—Lorenzino Estrada, The Arizona Republic, 11 Dec. 2024
Recognizing Somaliland would undoubtedly rattle the rump state of Somalia, further destabilize the Horn, and elicit a sharp rebuke from the African Union, which has long opposed secessionist movements.
—Ken Opalo, Foreign Affairs, 4 Dec. 2024
Pablo Simón, political science professor at Carlos III University in Madrid, said that the secessionist movement was in a period of uncertain transition.
—Joseph Wilson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 May 2024
See All Example Sentences for secessionist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for secessionist
Noun
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Aiding the princess is a band of rebels led by the dashing Jonathan (Tony winner Andrew Burnap).—
Patrick Gomez,
EW.com,
21 Mar. 2025
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Ooh, rendezvous with the hot rebel in the forest! 50.—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
21 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The region is internationally considered part of Azerbaijan but for decades was under the control of Armenian separatists.—
Caitlin Danaher and Gul Tuysuz,
CNN,
13 Mar. 2025
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Russia invaded Ukraine three years ago and has gobbled up big chunks of the Donbas region that had been controlled by pro-Kremlin separatists since 2014.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
13 Mar. 2025
Noun
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While Syria's new rulers -- led by the Islamist former insurgent group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham -- have pursued IS cells since taking power, some fear a breakdown in overall security that could allow the group to stage a resurgence.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
15 Mar. 2025
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Turkey, a close ally of Mr. al-Shara’s rebel group, has for years sought to curb the power of the Syrian Democratic Forces, maintaining that the militia is linked to Kurdish separatist insurgents inside Turkey.—
Raja Abdulrahim,
New York Times,
25 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Secessionist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secessionist. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.
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