English Reference
Noun

separatist

n. countable
C1 Advanced US /ˈsɛpɝətɪst/ UK /sˈɛpəɹˌætɪst/ sep·a·ratist UK spelling separatists

n.a person who wants their region or group to break away from a larger country and become independent. They usually believe their group has a different culture or history that justifies having its own government.

n.an advocate for the secession of a specific group of people or a territorial region from a larger political entity. Often associated with movements based on distinct ethnic, religious, or cultural identities.


SIMPLE

The separatist group wants to form a new country.

CONTEXTUAL

After years of political tension, the separatist leaders called for a referendum to decide the region's future independence.

COMPLEX

The government faced significant international pressure to negotiate with separatist factions that had established a parallel administration in the disputed northern provinces.

Usage

Often used as a modifier before other nouns, such as 'separatist movement' or 'separatist rebels'.

Ukraine hosted Eurovision in 2017 despite the conflict in the country's east between Ukrainian forces and Moscow-backed separatists.

The Local· 13 Aug 2026

The petition also pointed to reported ties between Hoekstra and the founder of an application used by separatists in Calgary to rally support for their movement.

Al Jazeera· 15 Aug 2026
This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated