separate 1 of 2

Definition of separatenext
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
Before washing your white clothes (in their own separate load, of course), soak them in a mixture of hot water and 1 cup of vinegar to allow the acid to brighten the fabrics. Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 14 June 2026 The two were bantering back and forth with smiles on their faces before continuing on their separate ways. Antonio Ferme, Variety, 14 June 2026
Verb
Ilia Topuria shoved Justin Gaethje in the stomach, and Dana White, the head of the UFC, stepped in to separate the two. Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 15 June 2026 Reese’s teammates immediately jumped in to separate the two players. Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for separate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for separate
Adjective
  • But bringing Lestat into the present introduced a different challenge.
    Precious Fondren, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2026
  • The program is not so different to some policies already pursued by the current Labour government.
    Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 20 June 2026
Adjective
  • The Knicks trailed in every single game against San Antonio and were down as many as 10 in the fourth quarter of Game 5.
    Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 June 2026
  • On June 8, Kentucky State Police Post 11 in London, Kentucky, responded to reports of a single-vehicle crash involving a pedestrian on Interstate 75 northbound near the 62-mile marker in Rockcastle County.
    Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 14 June 2026
Adjective
  • Production was structured along radically independent lines.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 15 June 2026
  • Aside from best film, Sivaci won best director while Erdener shared best actress prize with Italian actress Greta Scarano for her performance in social romcom Piccolo Miracolo, as a fiercely independent blind woman who finds love in an unaccepted place.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 14 June 2026
Adjective
  • The verdict was delivered amid difficult personal circumstances for Mette-Marit, Hoiby’s mother, who needs a lung transplant for pulmonary fibrosis.
    Reuters, CNN Money, 15 June 2026
  • In 2014, Smith served a nine-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct and substance abuse policies.
    Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 June 2026
Verb
  • The proposal also has divided politicians within the Democratic Party.
    Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026
  • Support for Ukraine has divided the GOP for years.
    Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 18 June 2026
Verb
  • The move also comes on the same day Angel City parted ways with head coach Alexander Strauss and traded rising star Kennedy Fuller to Bay FC.
    PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 18 June 2026
  • Instead of seeing that through, Sorsby put the controversy of him playing in 2026 to bed by parting ways with Texas Tech and entering the supplemental draft.
    Nick Harris June 18, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 June 2026
Verb
  • Yet more than half of its counties are classified as maternity care deserts — areas with no hospital or birth center offering obstetric services and no obstetric clinicians, as defined by the March of Dimes.
    Jocelyn Mitchell-Williams, STAT, 19 June 2026
  • Despite affecting nearly 100,000 Americans, SCD is classified as an orphan disease, defined as a condition that strikes fewer than 200,000 people.
    Audrey Boone Tillman, Fortune, 19 June 2026
Verb
  • Firefighters have also isolated lithium-ion batteries and have hoselines dousing them.
    Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 20 June 2026
  • To isolate the more desirable U-235, scientists strip away its more stable cousin, U-238, through a process known as enrichment.
    Adithi Ramakrishnan, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Separate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/separate. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.

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