1
as in different
not the same or shared
we stayed in separate apartments on our vacation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in single
not physically attached to another unit
the housing development has 200 separate homes, each with its own enclosed yard
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in independent
not being under the rule or control of another
the former Soviet republic is now a separate country
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in personal
of, relating to, or belonging to a single person
the husband and wife each have separate interests
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to divide
to set or force apart
we tried to separate the gluey pages, but they were stuck tight
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to classify
to arrange or assign according to type
separate the students by reading ability
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to isolate
to set or keep apart from others
separated the injured calf from the herd
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to differentiate
to understand or point out the difference in
trying to separate science from religion on one specific point
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in to split
to cause (people) to break up into opposing groups
The controversy separated the company's leadership into competing sides.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Nathan Diller, USA Today, 7 June 2026
After this Tuesday the planets go their separate ways.
—Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 7 June 2026
Nilton Bernini, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Eager to get a closer look at the lunar disk as the line separating night from day sweeps across its ancient surface in the coming weeks?
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for separate
Adjective
United referred a request for comment to law enforcement, while an attorney listed for Oriyomi did not immediately respond to a separate request for comment.
—Nathan Diller, USA Today, 7 June 2026
After this Tuesday the planets go their separate ways.
—Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 7 June 2026
Verb
This uncomfortable question is what separates companies built for longevity from those built only for hype.
—Nilton Bernini, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Eager to get a closer look at the lunar disk as the line separating night from day sweeps across its ancient surface in the coming weeks?
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for separate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for separate
Adjective
-
Officials at the Air Resources Board then spent the last several months drafting and revising the plan voted on this week, which received considerable feedback from oil and gas companies, environmental groups, lobbyists and lawmakers all jockeying for different priorities.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
-
Each ticket costs $5, and players may pick six numbers from two separate pools of numbers - five different numbers from 1 to 70 (the white balls) and one number from 1 to 24 (the gold Mega Ball) - or select Easy Pick/Quick Pick.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
30 May 2026
Adjective
-
Play/Pause Button 50 States, 50 People Meet the people behind iconic travel experiences in every single US state.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
-
Carolina scored those three goals in 39 seconds, the fastest three goals by a single team in Stanley Cup Final history, making what looked like a no-doubt Vegas win into a game once again.—
Matt Reigle,
FOXNews.com,
7 June 2026
Adjective
-
Panahi’s lawyer Mostafa Nili announced the decision by the court to reject the director’s appeal during a press briefing in Tehran on Sunday, according to independent film journalist Mansour Jahani and other sources.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
7 June 2026
-
Over his career, he was described as a blunt, independent, outspoken politician who was a maverick, boat-rocker, loose cannon, skilled partisan, and, above all, political survivor.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 June 2026
Adjective
-
While the chain has expanded to almost 200 locations, local community and conservation (the company has preserved millions of acres of land for wildlife) are at the core of not only Bass Pro but also Morris’s personal ethos.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
-
Threat to legacy players For decades, a handful of companies have dominated the household goods and family and personal care categories.—
Amelia Lucas,Melissa Repko,
CNBC,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
It’s divided into five romances.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
-
The price-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing the stock price by the consensus 12-months earnings projections on FactSet.—
Zev Fima,
CNBC,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Lemieux had looked good just days before, walking through fans parting in the Bell Centre concourse.—
Dan Robson,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
-
The team parted ways with long-time manager Alex Cora a month ago, but things haven’t improved in the standings, and the team sits in last place in the American League East division.—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
Those with motors of a certain size are legally classified as mopeds or motorcycles and cannot legally be ridden by anyone younger than age 16.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
-
Most of the people at Moshannon Valley Processing Center in Central Pennsylvania don't have a criminal record and are classified as low-security detainees, said Deluzio, who lives in Fox Chapel and represents parts of Allegheny County and all of Beaver County.—
Finch Walker,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Kurts told him about a recent immunology breakthrough where his team could isolate magnetic cells from rodent spleens.—
Kasha Patel,
CNN Money,
29 May 2026
-
With the Valkyries pushing the ball up the floor, Jocytė got the ball isolated 1-on-1 with Fever star Caitlin Clark.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Separate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/separate. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
