1
as in dividing
to set or force apart
we tried to separate the gluey pages, but they were stuck tight
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in parting
to go or move in different directions from a central point
the searchers separated in order to cover more ground
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in classifying
to arrange or assign according to type
separate the students by reading ability
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in isolating
to set or keep apart from others
separated the injured calf from the herd
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in differentiating
to understand or point out the difference in
trying to separate science from religion on one specific point
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of separating
The train then collided with the trailer, separating it from the cab, breaking it into multiple parts and rolling it.
—
Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 16 Sep. 2025
New Jersey is creating a stand-alone Department of Veterans Affairs, separating it from military operations in a move aimed at improving oversight of services for veterans and their families.
—Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
And Diggs is not only not separating well, but his effort on plays where he isn't supposed to get the ball bears watching.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 16 Sep. 2025
As spotted by Piunikaweb, and later reported by Android Authority, a thread on the company’s support website from early May shows the back of the phone separating from the rest of the device due to battery swelling.
—PC Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
In those 15 seconds, later described by his teammates, Jones offered a defining line separating the end of 2024 and the onset of 2025 — and the onset of a journey statistically more improbable than defending a Super Bowl title.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 12 Sep. 2025
Diners Club commercial solutions also streamline processes like tallying home office expenses for a hybrid workforce and separating business expenses from personal ones for those who combine both on the same trip.
—Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
But that isn’t separating Texans from their steaks.
—Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Sep. 2025
In 2022, the pair decided to spin the block after separating.
—Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 9 Sep. 2025
Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 16 Sep. 2025
New Jersey is creating a stand-alone Department of Veterans Affairs, separating it from military operations in a move aimed at improving oversight of services for veterans and their families.
—Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
And Diggs is not only not separating well, but his effort on plays where he isn't supposed to get the ball bears watching.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 16 Sep. 2025
As spotted by Piunikaweb, and later reported by Android Authority, a thread on the company’s support website from early May shows the back of the phone separating from the rest of the device due to battery swelling.
—PC Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
In those 15 seconds, later described by his teammates, Jones offered a defining line separating the end of 2024 and the onset of 2025 — and the onset of a journey statistically more improbable than defending a Super Bowl title.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 12 Sep. 2025
Diners Club commercial solutions also streamline processes like tallying home office expenses for a hybrid workforce and separating business expenses from personal ones for those who combine both on the same trip.
—Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
But that isn’t separating Texans from their steaks.
—Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Sep. 2025
In 2022, the pair decided to spin the block after separating.
—Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 9 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for separating
Verb
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That includes a subdivision map dividing the property into six lots and a request to replace the current zoning with a custom zoning plan tailored to The Village.—
Mona Darwish,
Oc Register,
13 Sep. 2025
-
The network originated as an effort to accelerate the collapse of modern society by exacerbating social tensions and dividing society through violence, and has roots in white supremacy and fascism, Kriner said.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Brighton & Hove Albion are poised to name Jason Ayto as sporting director after parting company on Friday with technical director David Weir.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Kuwahara and Fox/Bento Box are said to be parting on good terms, with both the exec and the company opting not to renew his contract.—
Joe Otterson,
Variety,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Delays in classifying more illnesses hurt people, Tom O'Connor said.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
-
The court forbade companies from classifying workers as independent contractors except in narrow circumstances.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But community doesn’t mean isolating with people who share only your same opinion.—
Laurie Brookins,
HollywoodReporter,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Navigating these physical challenges can often feel isolating.—
Korin Miller,
SELF,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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This radar technology, good at detecting small flying objects and differentiating them from fauna, has proven useful in Ukraine's drone war.—
Nate Anderson,
ArsTechnica,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Data will be key to differentiating from competitors, Metrick emphasized.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Part of what made that deal possible was Chelsea’s owners splitting their women’s team from their men’s and selling a minority stake.—
Asli Pelit,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
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In her later years, Keating was a snowbird, splitting her time between Massachusetts and Palm Springs, California.—
Dakin Andone,
CNN Money,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Israel accuses the commission of having a political agenda against Israel and diverging from its mandate, and declined to cooperate with it.—
Emma Farge,
USA Today,
16 Sep. 2025
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In this ambitious account, Wang, a technology analyst with a journalist’s eye for color, uses studies of Chinese innovation to show how the two countries’ diverging paths and pathologies can be traced to their political cultures.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The distinguishing factor lies in offering complete confidence to buyers who expect more than just salesmanship.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
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The odd one out is the shape with no distinguishing features.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Separating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/separating. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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