secessionist

[si-sesh-uh-nist]

noun

1. a person who secedes, advocates secession, or claims secession as a constitutional right.

adjective

1. of or relating to secession or secessionists.

Other Word Forms

• secessionism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of secessionist¹

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55; secession + -ist

Example Sentences

L.A.’s nonchalant highhandedness can gall today as it did 101 years ago when it precipitated what secessionists hailed as the “day of deliverance” from the “imperial county.”

From Los Angeles Times

Such efforts eventually pushed the high representative to take action and annul the secessionist legislation.

From BBC

Cameroon is also in the grips of a secessionist war that has killed more than 6,000 people in the west of the country.

From BBC

Those familiar with Mr Dodik’s regular secessionist outbursts rolled their eyes.

From BBC

The Global Times, the Communist Party tabloid, called Lai a secessionist in an article Sunday and warned that he may become emboldened in taking steps toward independence during his time in office.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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• militant 
• progressive 
• rebel 
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• rioter www.thesaurus.com
• subversive