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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of secessionist
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
One of his buildings, a five-story secessionist structure, housed a restaurant called JB Restavracija.
—Ellen Ruppel Shell, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for secessionist 
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
One of his buildings, a five-story secessionist structure, housed a restaurant called JB Restavracija.
—Ellen Ruppel Shell, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for secessionist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for secessionist
Noun
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Last week, a humanitarian ceasefire announced by M23 fell apart almost immediately after it was declared, as the rebels swiftly advanced into Nyabibwe.—
Nimi Princewill,
CNN,
12 Feb. 2025
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Trump could also run into problems in Congress where the Republicans have only a slim majority in both the Senate and House, meaning a small number of GOP rebels could disrupt his plans.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
5 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Chinese forces largely defeated the Uyghur separatist group known as the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) a decade ago in Xinjiang but its offshoot, the Turkestan Islamic Party, continues to operate in Afghanistan and Syria.—
John Yoo and John Shu,
Newsweek,
23 Jan. 2025
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Local media in both India and Canada linked Trudeau’s reception – or lack thereof – to the issue of Sikh separatists.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN,
29 Nov. 2024
Noun
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The day was marked by mixed emotions as two of our volunteers, Samuel and Harut, learned that Syrian towns had fallen to insurgents after Bashar al-Assad's exit.—
Anders Fogh Rasmussen,
Newsweek,
4 Feb. 2025
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Alia Shawkat stars as an aspiring actress in a military role-playing facility who falls in love with a soldier (Callum Turner) cast as an insurgent, but their unsimulated emotions threaten to derail the performance.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
31 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near secessionist
Cite this Entry
“Secessionist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secessionist. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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