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• unionist
  unionist

  noun

  a person whose activities or beliefs are characterized by unionism.
• Unionist
  Unionist

  noun

  (sometimes not capital)

unionist

American  

[yoon-yuh-nist] / ˈjun jə nɪst /

noun

1. a person whose activities or beliefs are characterized by unionism.

2. a member of a trade union.

3. (initial capital letter) a supporter of the federal union of the United States of America, especially during the Civil War.

4. British Politics. (formerly) an upholder of the legislative union of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

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Unionist ¹ British  

/ ˈjuːnjənɪst /

noun

1. (sometimes not capital)

   1. (before 1920) a supporter of the union of all Ireland and Great Britain

   2. (since 1920) a supporter of union between Britain and Northern Ireland

2. a supporter of the US federal Union, esp during the Civil War

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adjective

1. of, resembling, or relating to Unionists

unionist ² British  

/ ˈjuːnjənɪst /

noun

1. a supporter or advocate of unionism or union

2. a member of a trade union

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adjective

1. of or relating to union or unionism, esp trade unionism

Other Word Forms

• prounionist
  adjective
• unionistic
  adjective

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Etymology

Origin of unionist

First recorded in 1790–1800; union + -ist

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

unionist Unionist

How can you turn from being a unionist to a separatist?

From BBC ● Sep. 19, 2026

Linda Ervine - an Irish language activist who hails from a unionist background - said she did not recognise her native city during the Fleadh.

From BBC ● Aug. 16, 2026

He worked as a shoeshine boy and peanut vendor before becoming a metalworker and trade unionist.

From Barron's ● Aug. 2, 2026

The former metalworker and unionist made a dramatic comeback when he returned to power three years ago after a stint in jail on corruption charges that were later dismissed, and two previous terms from 2003-2010.

From Barron's ● Aug. 2, 2026

The rumor in the village was that before he joined the Force and grew his mustache, he was a trade unionist.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan

Carla Lockhart, a local MP from the pro-British Democratic Unionist Party, called the appeal overturn "seismic" and said residents had nothing to fear.

From Barron's ● Sep. 27, 2026

Ulster Unionist leader Jon Burrows said the executive was discussing "significant" sums of money, but also refused to be drawn on an exact figure.

From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2026

Ulster Unionist leader Jon Burrows said there was "going to have to be a meeting of minds between His Majesty's government and the political parties" on any financial arrangement.

From BBC ● Sep. 10, 2026

A new health minister for Northern Ireland is expected to be announced later following the resignation of Ulster Unionist Mike Nesbitt from the post.

From BBC ● Aug. 20, 2026

Mudd solved his problem by sending his cousin George, a loyal Unionist and therefore above suspicion by the federal authorities, to town to report Booth’s visit to Mudd’s farm.

From "Chasing Lincoln's Killer" by James L. Swanson

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