WordValesecession
formally withdrawing from a political union
In more detail
1. (noun) the act of withdrawing from membership of a group, organization, or country
2. (noun) the formal separation of a region or state from a larger political body
Examples
- 1. The Southern states' secession from the United States led to the Civil War.
- 2. The group voted on secession from the larger national organization.
How to use secession
Secession refers to the act or process of formally withdrawing from a larger political or organizational unit, often carrying weighty historical and legal implications. It is most commonly used in political and historical contexts, particularly regarding regions or states leaving nations. The word is neutral in tone but often appears in discussions of conflict or division.
Common phrases
- threat of secession
- declare secession
- secession movement
- secession crisis
- risk of secession
- prevent secession
Synonyms
withdrawal · separation · departure · breakaway · disaffiliation
Opposites
union · unification · accession
Word family
secede (verb) · secessionist (noun, adjective) · secessionism (noun)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse secession with succession (the process of following or inheriting a position). These are entirely different words with different pronunciations and meanings.
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