secessionist

noun

se·​ces·​sion·​ist si-ˈse-sh(ə-)nist How to pronounce secessionist (audio)
: one who joins in a secession or maintains that secession is a right
secessionism noun
secessionist adjective

Examples of secessionist 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 base was originally named for Lt. Gen. Henry Benning, a Confederate general and Southern secessionist who opposed freeing slaves. Eleanor Watson, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2025 Monuments to old secessionists and segregationists had fallen across the country. Charles King, Foreign Affairs, 18 June 2021 Separately, secessionist movements in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states might return in earnest while the central government is at war with itself. Mai Hassan, Foreign Affairs, 1 May 2023 And if a militarized, semiautonomous, U.S.-backed Kurdish region across the border in Syria continues to harbor fighters and fuel secessionist aspirations, the threat of a PKK resurgence would remain. Halil Karaveli, Foreign Affairs, 3 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for secessionist

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1850, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of secessionist was circa 1850

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Cite this Entry

“Secessionist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/secessionist. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

secessionist

noun
se·​ces·​sion·​ist -ˈsesh-(ə-)nəst How to pronounce secessionist (audio)
: one who joins in or supports a secession
secessionism noun
secessionist adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on secessionist

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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