secede
6 synonyms and 4 antonyms for secede, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To formally withdraw from a country, federation, alliance or other organisation, ending membership of it.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
break away
split off
Antonyms
How to use secede
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
secede from the Union
threaten to secede
vote to secede
the right to secede
Formal, mostly political, historical and legal writing.
Etymology
From Latin secedere 'to withdraw, go apart', from se- 'apart' and cedere 'to go'.
Full origin of secede →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between secede and succeed?
They sound similar but are unrelated. To secede is to break away from a larger body, as a state might from a union. To succeed is to achieve what you set out to do, or to come after someone in a role.
What is the difference between secede and seceded from versus secession?
Secede is the verb and secession is the noun for the act itself. A state secedes; the event is its secession. A person or group that supports it is a secessionist.
Can a US state legally secede?
No. In Texas v. White (1869) the Supreme Court held that the union of the states is perpetual and that unilateral secession has no legal effect. Any lawful departure would require the consent of the other states.
