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
The couple had separated months earlier, and their divorce was finalized six months later. Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 8 June 2026 Pharmaceutical stocks have recently separated themselves from the broader market, and the group has become an increasingly important source of leadership within healthcare. Katie Stockton, CNBC, 8 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for separate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for separate
Adjective
  • The unexpected move comes just days after Anthropic announced Fable 5 and Mythos 5, two powerful models that the company touted as state-of-the-art across a number of different industry benchmarks.
    Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 13 June 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, 13 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 lake was divided into east and west, connected by a narrow channel, with a four-lane bridge crossing over it.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 June 2026
  • Now, ferries transport crowds to the incomplete sea fort in the middle of the Charleston Harbor to see a glimpse of life on the island and the attack that divided a nation for years to come.
    USA TODAY Network, USA Today, 10 June 2026
Verb
  • After the four-hour camp in heat that exceeded 95 degrees in the late afternoon, Pickens left his young fans with a parting message.
    Nick Harris June 11, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 June 2026
  • To recreate the look, begin by applying styling gel to your hair and then part it in the middle.
    Ranyechi Udemezue, Vogue, 12 June 2026
Verb
  • Each conference room is classified as good, dark or backlit, and those ratings can then be correlated with occupancy and complaints.
    Melody Brue, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
  • The water contained glycol, causing it to be classified as an environmental hazard, officials wrote in a report after investigating the accident.
    Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 11 June 2026
Verb
  • In one of the CDC modeling’s worst-case scenarios, in which only 20 percent of Ebola cases are isolated, most simulations projected more than 20,000 cases and more than 4,000 deaths within just three months.
    Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 12 June 2026
  • Such a ban risks isolating vulnerable children who rely on digital connections for crucial support.
    Belonging Forum, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Separate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/separate. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.

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