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

Russia still faces internal threats including terrorists, separatists, and the thousands of former Wagner fighters now scattered across Russia and Belarus. —William M. Moon, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2024

Canada has alleged that Indian Home Minister Amit Shah directed a campaign targeting Sikh separatists in Canada, sparking significant diplomatic tension. —Nina Turner, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024

Moscow supports separatists in two ethnic regions who broke away from Tbilisi’s rule in wars in the 1990s, and Russian forces defeated Georgia in a brief war in 2008. —Reuters, NBC News, 3 Oct. 2024

The Kremlin sent in unmarked troops to support the separatists, but Ivan and Anna’s TV showed them none of that. —Sarah A. Topol, New York Times, 20 Sep. 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