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Glite Dictionary
to secede

to secede

34 8.5
To leave a group or country and stop being part of it
  • verb
  • /sɪˈkiːd/
  • Formal
translation icon : secesionarse (de)
  • New York should secede from the Union!
  • the right to secede
  • secede from the union
  • attempt to secede

If Lincoln didn't win, he threatened to have Wisconsin secede from the Union.

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Examples

  • I've nothing at all to do with those who wish to secede from our country.

    Blog text (8)

  • In theory, these republics had the right to secede from the Union, but not in practice.

  • Third, may the state from which the people wish to secede use force?

    Academic text (1992)

  • I'm gonna secede from the national organization.

    Troop Beverly Hills (1989)

  • Lincoln always held that the Confederate states could not secede.

    Tennessee Johnson (1942)

  • It is thought that the South will secede from the Union.

    A Quiet Passion (2016)

  • Despite those assurances, his election prompted North Carolina to secede from the Union.

    Academic text (1999)

  • Anyway, South Carolina was the first to secede from the Union, December 9th, 1860, followed by Mississippi, January 19th, 1861.

    Blood Pi (2020)

  • It is we, you know, I'd be in favour of Quebec seceding from Canada.

  • Several states in the South wanted to secede from the Union during the Civil War.

Synonyms

to leave
vsto secede
∞ 1.0

To go away from a place, person, or group

is a formal exit from membership rather than a general departure
to withdraw
vsto secede
466 2.8

To stop taking part in a place or activity

is a formal exit from membership rather than gradual distancing
to pull out
vsto secede
206 3.4

To stop being involved in an activity or agreement

is a formal organizational withdrawal rather than casual stopping
to disengage
vsto secede
82 5.3

To stop being part of or connected to something

is about formally leaving an organization rather than physical release
to pull out of
vsto secede
79 3.2

Leave an activity or agreement you had joined

is a formal ending of membership, not only quitting an activity
to break away
vsto secede
30 4.1

To leave an organization and form a separate group

is focused on formal exit from an organization or political union
to resign
vsto secede
  • Formal
22 3.7

Give up a right or title to something

is about leaving membership rather than surrendering a right or claim
to disassociate
vsto secede
16 7.0

To end a connection with a person, group, or idea

is a formal organizational separation more than personal removal
to dissociate
vsto secede
3 6.7

To stop being involved with a person, group, or idea

is an official group exit rather than personal distancing
to disaffiliate
vsto secede
  • Formal
1 7.5

To stop being a member of a group or organization

is a formal political or group exit rather than casual departure

Antonyms

to join
∞ 1.0

Become a member of a group or take part in its activities

How Separate

to secede
  • Formal
34 8.5
to break away
30 4.1
to withdraw
466 2.8
to leave
∞ 1.0
to stay
∞ 1.0
to remain
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

secede infinitive
seceded past
seceded past participle
seceding present participle
secedes third person singular

Morphology

secede = cede (semi-transparent) = se + cede

The form is analyzable as Latin-derived se- (apart) + cede (go/yield), but 'cede' is relatively rare and the prefix 'se-' is not a productive modern English prefix, so the meaning is not fully obvious to an average learner.

Etymology

The word secede comes from Latin parts se- meaning 'apart' and cedere meaning 'to go'. The idea is 'go apart' from a group, which is why to secede is to officially leave a country, organization, or union.