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
As analysts have previously told Newsweek, even those critical of the Islamic Republic often rally behind the central government in the face of external threats and secessionist movements.
—
Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025
However, most countries are loath to encourage secessionist movements.
—Kate Bartlett, Christian Science Monitor, 12 June 2025
The border state had been rife with turmoil as secessionists street brawled with unionists about whose side Maryland should join.
—Zaakir Tameez
june 11, Literary Hub, 11 June 2025
Trump’s world, however, will hardly guarantee more success for secessionists.
—Ryan D. Griffiths, Foreign Affairs, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for secessionist
Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025
However, most countries are loath to encourage secessionist movements.
—Kate Bartlett, Christian Science Monitor, 12 June 2025
The border state had been rife with turmoil as secessionists street brawled with unionists about whose side Maryland should join.
—Zaakir Tameez
june 11, Literary Hub, 11 June 2025
Trump’s world, however, will hardly guarantee more success for secessionists.
—Ryan D. Griffiths, Foreign Affairs, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for secessionist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for secessionist
Noun
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Adapted from Chinese folklore, the film follows a boy named Ne Zha (Crystal Lee) who is born with demon-like powers and rebels against his hawk-eyed, human parents Lady Yin and Li Jing (Vincent Rodriguez III).—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
22 Aug. 2025
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Since January, thousands were killed and hundreds of thousands were displaced in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in the fighting between M23 rebels and the Congolese army.—
Jean Kaseya,
Time,
20 Aug. 2025
Noun
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That conflict had recently escalated, with pro-Russian separatists seizing key towns in the Donetsk and Luhansk after Russia illegally annexed the peninsula of Crimea in February 2014.—
Anna Batta,
The Conversation,
20 Aug. 2025
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Russia seized Ukraine's Crimean peninsula in 2014 and backed separatists in eastern Ukraine, a move that was widely condemned by the international community.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
18 Aug. 2025
Noun
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But as the threat of insurgents has receded abroad, the Trump administration has brought these tactics home.—
Time,
Time,
8 Aug. 2025
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On the one hand, there is the prospect of insurgents who can field swarms of armed drones.—
Dexter Filkins,
New Yorker,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Secessionist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secessionist. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
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