unionist

[yoon-yuh-nist]

noun

1. a person whose activities or beliefs are characterized by unionism.

2. a member of a trade union.

3. (initial capital letter),  a supporter of the federal union of the United States of America, especially during the Civil War.

4. British Politics.,  (formerly) an upholder of the legislative union of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Unionist

¹

/ ˈjuːnjənɪst /

noun

1. (sometimes not capital)

   1. (before 1920) a supporter of the union of all Ireland and Great Britain

   2. (since 1920) a supporter of union between Britain and Northern Ireland

2. a supporter of the US federal Union, esp during the Civil War

adjective

1. of, resembling, or relating to Unionists

ˈunionist

²

/ ˈjuːnjənɪst /

noun

1. a supporter or advocate of unionism or union

2. a member of a trade union

adjective

1. of or relating to union or unionism, esp trade unionism

Other Word Forms

• unionistic adjective
• prounionist adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Unionist¹

First recorded in 1790–1800; union + -ist

Example Sentences

The verdicts angered nationalist political parties but were welcomed by unionists and veterans' campaigners, who called for an end to prosecutions of former soldiers.

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About half the cases involve unionist or nationalist families, with a third coming from relatives of those killed in the Army and police.

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There followed a flurry of comments and social media posts from unionist politicians accusing the party of pushing for a border poll.

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"I don't think we will see a nationalist or unionist majority any time in the foreseeable future in the Assembly," said David McCann of Ulster University.

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The SNP appears far less popular than it was five years ago and the rise of Reform UK seems to be fragmenting support for unionist parties.

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