separate 1 of 2

Definition of separatenext
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
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
Reuters previously reported that North Korea revised its constitution to define its territory as bordering South Korea and remove references to reunification, reflecting Kim’s push to formally treat the two Koreas as separate states. Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 10 May 2026 Plaid Cymru are a pro-independence party, who believe that Wales should be self-governed – leaving the United Kingdom and becoming a separate country. Chandelis Duster, NPR, 10 May 2026
Verb
What has separated Young from the rest of the field is not perfection. Noah Gulley, Miami Herald, 4 May 2026 Charles Leclerc was similarly more at home in his Ferrari than Lewis Hamilton was around the Hard Rock Stadium, but the gap between teammates was nothing like that separating Max Verstappen’s Red Bull from that of Isack Hadjar. Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 4 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for separate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for separate
Adjective
  • Galvin later confronted the man who had messaged Kianna, who told her several different stories, according to Childs’ report.
    Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026
  • Some states are taking a different approach to student misbehavior, saying that the answer is to bring in more consequences and give teachers more power to punish disruptive students.
    Stacker, Hartford Courant, 9 May 2026
Adjective
  • Two more runs scored on Olson’s single to right and after an inning and a half the Dodgers trailed 5-0.
    Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
  • Instead, it was followed by a final bite in the form of a single petit four featuring the menu’s only evident inclusion of chocolate.
    Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 10 May 2026
Adjective
  • The following year, the City Council called for an independent commission to advise on overhauling the city’s criminal-justice system; it was chaired by Jonathan Lippman, a former chief judge of the New York Court of Appeals, and Richards became a member.
    Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 11 May 2026
  • Luckily these pests can be controlled with a natural spray of spinosad found in Bonide, Fertilome and Southern Ag brands of insecticides usually offered for caterpillar control at independent garden centers.
    Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 May 2026
Adjective
  • Richards’s personal experience and his years with the Fortune Society had given him the necessary credibility, with both activists and institutions, to help win commitment for the committee’s vision.
    Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 11 May 2026
  • French worked with overseas telemarketing call centers to pressure elderly Americans to provide personal information and agree to unnecessary orthotic braces, according to the Justice Department.
    Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 10 May 2026
Verb
  • The space is divided into six distinct environments, including a Dolby Atmos lounge for immersive, spatial audio, a gallery area for talks and panels, and a 'listening bar' where staff offer their own personal recommendations.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 May 2026
  • Colbert grilled the former president on the topic dividing the city, baseball.
    Elyssa Kaufman, CBS News, 6 May 2026
Verb
  • Following The Athletic’s reporting, the organization parted ways with Peter Soto, vice president of game presentation and fan experience.
    Brittany Ghiroli, New York Times, 6 May 2026
  • Ujiri and the Raptors parted ways in 2025 after 12 years.
    Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 May 2026
Verb
  • Such systems as the Shahed-131 and Shahed-136 series, classified as one-way attack (OWA) UAVs, have been exported extensively to proxy groups and state allies.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 May 2026
  • Rising costs already limit access to higher education for many, and recent federal policies incorrectly classifying nursing as a nonprofessional degree will only further restrict access to financing for nursing school applicants.
    Nicholas A. Giordano, STAT, 8 May 2026
Verb
  • On one third-and-goal at the start of that second quarter, Carr checked a call at the line of scrimmage; York looked and pointed to his left at Notre Dame receiver Malachi Fields, isolated against A&M cornerback Will Lee III.
    Luca Evans, Denver Post, 8 May 2026
  • May 7 Health authorities in Switzerland, Britain, the Netherlands, France, Singapore, South Africa and other countries have isolated former passengers who have already left the ship and are tracing those who may have been in contact with them.
    Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Separate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/separate. Accessed 11 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on separate

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster