separatism

American  

[sep-er-uh-tism] / ˈsɛp ər ə tɪsm /

noun

1. a principle or policy advocating withdrawing or seceding from an established union, such as a church, nation, etc..

   The move toward separatism may become more powerful as the country’s economy melts down.

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Etymology

Origin of separatism

separat(e) ( def. ) + -ism ( def. )

Explanation

Separatism is the belief that one group of people should split off and live apart from a larger group. Often, separatism stems from differences in religious beliefs, language, or ethnicity. Separatism comes from separate and its Latin root, separare, which means "to pull apart." Advocating for pulling away or apart from a larger group is separatism. People who believe in the idea or put it into action are separatists. Ethnic separatism, based on different cultures and languages, led to the split of Czechoslovakia into two separate countries, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Example Sentences

A clause in France's Separatism Law - which is currently before the Senate - makes it illegal for doctors to issue virginity certificates.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2021

Separatism, however, was rooted not simply in the Bible.

From New York Times • May 21, 2010

Bunker’s research reveals that the Pilgrim leaders were quite connected to events in England, and also that Separatism had a broader geographic scope than has long been thought.

From New York Times • May 21, 2010

Separatism is thus only the worst of a host of problems facing Bhutto's two-month-old government.

From Time Magazine Archive

Having done this, Cartwright called for the establishment of Presbyterianism as the national church and for the vigorous suppression of Episcopacy, Separatism, and all variations from his standard.

From The Development of Religious Liberty in Connecticut by Greene, Maria Louise

Related Words

• apartheid
• discrimination