separatist

noun

sep·​a·​rat·​ist ˈse-p(ə-)rə-tist 

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

ˌse-p(ə-)rə-ˈti-stik 

adjective

Examples of separatist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Canadian government alleged this week that Indian Minister of Home Affairs Amit Shah is behind plots targeting Sikh separatists in Canada. —Ganesh Rao, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2024

The Indian government has responded to these calls largely by suppressing the Sikh separatist movement both at home and overseas. —Nina Turner, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024

Axios: Canada’s deputy foreign minister alleged Tuesday that Indian Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah, a close ally of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, drove plots targeting Sikh separatists on Canadian soil. —Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 30 Oct. 2024

The Kurdish separatist movement is labeled a terrorist organization by Turkey and its Western allies. —David Brennan, ABC News, 23 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1608, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing separatist

• anti-separatist

Kids Definition

separatist

noun

sep·​a·​rat·​ist ˈsep(-ə)-rət-əst 

: a person who favors separation (as from a church or party)

separatism

-rə-ˌtiz-əm

noun

separatist adjective