separate 1 of 2

1
as in different
not the same or shared we stayed in separate apartments on our vacation

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2
as in single
not physically attached to another unit the housing development has 200 separate homes, each with its own enclosed yard

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3
4

separate

2 of 2

verb

1
2
as in to part
to go or move in different directions from a central point the searchers separated in order to cover more ground

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3
4
5
6
as in to split
to cause (people) to break up into opposing groups The controversy separated the company's leadership into competing sides.

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word separate different from other adjectives like it?

The words discrete and distinct are common synonyms of separate. While all three words mean "not being each and every one the same," separate often stresses lack of connection or a difference in identity between two things.

separate rooms

When could discrete be used to replace separate?

Although the words discrete and separate have much in common, discrete strongly emphasizes individuality and lack of connection.

broke the job down into discrete stages

When would distinct be a good substitute for separate?

The meanings of distinct and separate largely overlap; however, distinct indicates that something is distinguished by the mind or eye as being apart or different from others.

two distinct versions

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of separate
Adjective
Its early servers were built as cheaply as possible and famously used cork board as a way to separate components stacked on top of each other. Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 4 Nov. 2025 In a separate case, Jake entered a guilty plea to a charge of willful neglect of a child just two years ago after severely abusing his 10-week-old daughter. Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
Couples who choose to sleep apart can still nurture connection and intimacy by sharing an evening wind-down routine before heading off to separate sleeping arrangements, Troxel suggested. Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2025 What separates them from ordinary companies isn’t better strategy. Big Think, 29 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for separate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for separate
Adjective
  • The characters are all different, but the contrast in personalities was similar.
    Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Lee made a video about the clear-shoe trend, adopted by the likes of Simone Rocha and Loewe for spring 2026; Loewe layered socks of different colors with transparent kitten heels.
    Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Draymond Green grabbed 10 rebounds but recorded just a single assist.
    Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Helicopters are proven, versatile, and can fly for hours on a single tank of fuel.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Democratic Senators Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada and John Fetterman of Pennsylvania voted for the bill, along with independent Angus King of Maine, who caucuses with Democrats.
    Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
  • The European Union and independent electoral monitoring organizations such as the Carter Center and the Colombian Electoral Mission also backed the opposition’s claim.
    Stefano Pozzebon, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Rather than rob the story of its teeth, this enabled me to explore the pain, loneliness and personal demons of my characters with sympathy rather than stinging bite.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Her Instagram page shows her artwork and things that inspire her in New York City and around the world but little personal information.
    Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • The move is, of course, dividing Americans, with some people arguing that every president makes changes to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
    Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
  • In this stratified society, citizens are divided into seven status levels that determine every aspect of their lives — from housing to occupation to food rations.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Crawford, on the other hand, touted Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show bombshell hair; her honey-brown highlights softly waved and parted over the right side of her head.
    Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 3 Nov. 2025
  • Arianna, though, bore the extra weight of being parted from her own child.
    Natalia Paradies, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services reports that about 35% of adults in the state are classified as obese, placing it among 19 states with obesity prevalence at or above that level.
    Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 30 Oct. 2025
  • However, not every smaller tyrannosaur skeleton should be classified as Nanotyrannus, according to Brusatte.
    Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Heavy snow and strong winds could impact major routes, isolate higher-elevation communities, and create hazardous conditions for early-season recreation.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
  • It was observed in thousands of troops during the Korean War, and the first species of the virus that causes it was isolated in a Korean lab in the Seventies.
    Joy Williams, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Separate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/separate. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.

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