separate 1 of 2

adjective

ˈse-p(ə-)rət How to pronounce separate (audio)
Definition of separatenext
1
as in different
not the same or shared we stayed in separate apartments on our vacation

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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

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3
as in independent
not being under the rule or control of another the former Soviet republic is now a separate country

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4
as in personal
of, relating to, or belonging to a single person the husband and wife each have separate interests

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

separate

2 of 2

verb

ˈse-pə-ˌrāt How to pronounce separate (audio)
1
as in to divide
to set or force apart we tried to separate the gluey pages, but they were stuck tight

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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

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3
as in to classify
to arrange or assign according to type separate the students by reading ability

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4
as in to isolate
to set or keep apart from others separated the injured calf from the herd

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5
as in to differentiate
to understand or point out the difference in trying to separate science from religion on one specific point

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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

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
The panels will work in tandem with a separate grant project the museum received last year to install a museum audio tour. —Sofi Zeman, Kansas City Star, 15 Mar. 2026 Some critics of the trash fee said their existing San Diego city general taxes should cover the costs, though most other cities routinely charge a separate levy. —Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
Verb
For any parent who has experienced a career high while separated from the people who matter most — a promotion celebrated alone, a milestone reached while your partner handles bedtime solo — that detail lands hard. —Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 16 Mar. 2026 OPOs are meant to separate bedside care from organ procurement decisions — to help prevent conflicts of interest and preserve the trust that decisions about life-sustaining treatment are made solely in the dying patient's interest. —Dr. Céline Gounder, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for separate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for separate
  1. different
  2. single
  3. independent
  4. personal
  5. divide
  6. part
  7. classify
  8. isolate
Adjective
  • But there's a lower risk of having a reaction because your body recognizes your own blood, and there's no risk of contracting infectious disease from a different donor.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Mar. 2026
  • That was a different era, when social media was not a thing.
    — Stuart James, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
Definition of different
Adjective
  • Celebrini now has 94 points, moving him past Jonathan Cheechoo for fourth place on the Sharks’ all-time single-season scoring list.
    — Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2026
  • Though the bigger executive rooms are the standout, the smaller single-room studios are equally beautiful, cost a little less, and sometimes come with their own easter eggs.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Mar. 2026
Definition of single
Adjective
  • Whatever happens might instill a rebellious, independent reaction within you.
    — Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 16 Mar. 2026
  • Luminate, the independent data provider to the Billboard charts, completes a thorough review of all data submissions used in compiling the weekly chart rankings.
    — Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 15 Mar. 2026
Definition of independent
Adjective
  • Focus on business and personal relationships.
    — Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 16 Mar. 2026
  • Her pieces exhibit a strong understanding of composition, color, and form, while also expressing original ideas and a clear personal style.
    — Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026
Definition of personal
Verb
  • How iftar dinner helps bridge divides Latif leads the Islamic Center of New York City, where volunteers recently prepared an evening iftar meal of chicken and rice and dates.
    — Brian Mann, NPR, 18 Mar. 2026
  • The polling percentage was determined by the most recent Public Policy Institute of California survey, and the fundraising component took the total amount raised divided by the number of days a candidate was in the race.
    — Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 18 Mar. 2026
Definition of divide
Verb
  • Since parting, Shabaka has performed mononymously as a solo flautist and Skinner joined members of Radiohead to form the offshoot band the Smile.
    — Hilton Als, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Gomez parted her hair in the center and pulled the lengths up, twisted them, and clipped her hair with a medium-sized sheer white claw clip and wrapping some of the lengths over the top of the clip.
    — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of part
Verb
  • The Minnetonka Fire Department classified Johnson's death as a line-of-duty death.
    — Ray Campos, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
  • The French philosopher argued that the author is not a true creator but a functional, historical construct designed to classify and limit the meaning of texts.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of classify
Verb
  • But opposition leaders have described the proposal as an effort to erase the crimes committed in the prison, where inmates were often isolated for months at a time, and tortured by agents seeking information on the activities of opposition activists.
    — Manuel Rueda, NPR, 20 Mar. 2026
  • What’s more, the project also introduced an ultra-compact, galvanically isolated DC/DC converter with a 250-kilowatt capacity.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of isolate

Browse Nearby Words

separable
separate
separated
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Cite this Entry

“Separate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/separate. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of separate for Spanish Speakers

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