separatist

noun

sep·​a·​rat·​ist ˈse-p(ə-)rə-tist 

ˈse-pə-ˌrā-

: one that favors separatism: such as

a

Separatist : 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

In 2012, Tuareg separatists and jihadi groups seized the city along with much of northern Mali. —ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026

The separatists have been fighting for years to create an independent state in northern Mali, while militants aligned with Al Qaeda and the Islamic State group have been fighting the government for more than a decade. —Wilson McMakin, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026

The separatists have been fighting for years to create the state of Azawad in northern Mali. —CBS News, 25 Apr. 2026

Cameroon has suffered for years from a conflict between English-speaking separatists resisting the Francophone government. —Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 17 Apr. 2026

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