separatist

[sep-er-uh-tist, -uh-rey-]

noun

1. a person who separates, withdraws, or secedes, as from an established church.

2. an advocate of separation, especially ecclesiastical or political separation.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or designating separatism or separatists.

   separatist forces;

   separatist tendencies.

separatist

¹

/ ˈsɛpərətɪst, ˈsɛprə- /

noun

1. 1. a person who advocates or practises secession from an organization or group

   2. ( as modifier )

      a separatist movement

Separatist

²

/ ˈsɛprə-, ˈsɛpərətɪst /

noun

1. (sometimes not capital) a person who advocates the secession of a province, esp Quebec, from Canada

Other Word Forms

• separatism noun
• antiseparatist noun
• separatistic adjective
• Separatism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of separatist¹

First recorded in 1600–10; separate (adjective) + -ist

Example Sentences

The vote will be held in the shadow of a deadly conflict between separatist forces in Cameroon's English-speaking regions and the government.

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In recent years, the country has battled violence from a separatist movement among its English-speaking minority in the western regions and jihadist attacks in the north.

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Despite frequent absences and consistent rumours about fragile health, he has succeeded in holding onto power through social upheaval, economic disparity and separatist violence.

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At the edge of Moldova's separatist enclave of Transnistria on Sunday, a long queue of cars waited to cross the river to register their vote at 12 polling stations opened close to the administrative border.

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His rise to stardom coincided with a period of violence linked to separatist groups in Assam.

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Related Words

• dissident 
• protester www.thesaurus.com
• rebel