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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The coming-of-age film tells the story of Ren (Bacon), a teen rebel who moves to a small Southern town that has outlawed dancing for religious reasons.—
Toria Sheffield,
People.com,
8 Mar. 2025
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Besides, the Caribbean strife was thwarting trade and endangering American lives and livelihoods in the region. McKinley, sympathetic toward the rebels but not wanting war with Spain, dispatched a prominent Illinois trial lawyer to Cuba to study the situation and report back.—
Robert W. Merry,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Kyiv said Moscow was sending Russian troops there to help pro-Russian separatists, but the Kremlin denied the accusations, insisting that Kyiv conduct direct negotiations with the breakaway republics there, and in another eastern region, Luhansk.—
Joanna Kakissis,
NPR,
21 Feb. 2025
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The season focuses on the arrival of white separatists, led by businessman Ethan Zobelle (Adam Arkin) and his henchman A.J. Weston (Henry Rollins), who hope to drive SAMCRO out of Charming.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
19 Feb. 2025
Noun
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In recent years, the PKK has been limited to isolated attacks inside Turkey as the Turkish military, backed by armed drones, has pushed PKK insurgents increasingly across the mountainous border into Iraq.—
Democrat-Gazette staff from wire reports,
arkansasonline.com,
2 Mar. 2025
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Elected by surprise in 2018, Ocasio-Cortez was a progressive insurgent, a democratic socialist, a frequent critic of her own party, and a social media sensation.—
Steve Inskeep,
NPR,
28 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Secessionist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secessionist. Accessed 18 Mar. 2025.
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