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
Examples of separatist in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Subsequently, Russia annexed Crimea, pro-Russian separatists proclaimed the independence of the oblasts that comprise the Donbas region, and the Russo-Ukrainian war began.
—
Clare Morell, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025
The oil-rich province is home to a small but dedicated minority of separatists.
—Amber Bracken, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Crisis when a radical Quebec separatist group, the Front de Libération du Québec (FLQ), kidnapped high profile politicians to escalate their battle for independence from Canada and lead Ottawa to impose the War Measures Act.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 18 May 2025
Related article Kurdish separatist leader calls on followers to disarm, potentially ending a five-decade insurgency with Turkey
In March, the PKK declared an immediate ceasefire after Ocalan called on fighters to lay down their arms and dissolve the group.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for separatist
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.
Clare Morell, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025
The oil-rich province is home to a small but dedicated minority of separatists.
—Amber Bracken, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Crisis when a radical Quebec separatist group, the Front de Libération du Québec (FLQ), kidnapped high profile politicians to escalate their battle for independence from Canada and lead Ottawa to impose the War Measures Act.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 18 May 2025
Related article Kurdish separatist leader calls on followers to disarm, potentially ending a five-decade insurgency with Turkey
In March, the PKK declared an immediate ceasefire after Ocalan called on fighters to lay down their arms and dissolve the group.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for separatist
Cite this Entry
“Separatist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/separatist. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
separatist
noun
sep·a·rat·ist
ˈsep(-ə)-rət-əst
: a person who favors separation (as from a church or party)
separatism
noun
-rə-ˌtiz-əm
separatist
adjective
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share