separate 1 of 2

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
In a press conference in Hartford and on a separate Zoom call with the attorneys general of California, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Washington, all states that have sued Trump to preserve birthright citizenship, Tong and his colleagues emphasized the limits of the decision. Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 28 June 2025 The figure does not include a separate $700 million capital budget or the financial operations of Stanford Health Care and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital. Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 28 June 2025
Verb
The barrier, ultimately, was the cost of sorting it out of regular garbage and separating it to be reentered into the supply chain. Chris Stokel-Walker, Fortune, 26 June 2025 In October 2019, Billy Hajek, the East Hampton village planner, inspected a property on a one-lane road running along a narrow strip of land separating Georgica Pond from the ocean. Andrew Rice, Curbed, 26 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for separate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for separate
Adjective
  • Alaa’s family, campaigners, and parliamentarians are urging the UK government to take more concrete and decisive action—to deploy new and different tools, including amending FCDO travel advice for Egypt and considering sanctions on those responsible for Alaa’s unlawful incarceration.
    Margaret Busby June 20, Literary Hub, 20 June 2025
  • Schools across Ethiopia teach in fifty-one different languages, and students learn in at least two different languages during the course of their school years.
    Laura Clawson, JSTOR Daily, 20 June 2025
Adjective
  • Back on top 4-2, Castellanos made it 5-2 with a single off Garza.
    Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 21 June 2025
  • Peña led off the 10th with a single that advanced automatic runner Dubón to third.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2025
Adjective
  • According to the latest McKinsey American Opportunity Survey, 36% of the U.S. labor force identifies as independent workers today, up from 27% in 2016.
    Roomy Khan, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
  • Democratic leaders have come under criticism from within, some for pushing the party too far left, and others for appearing too conciliatory toward Trump, and a number who have felt disillusioned with its agenda have left the party entirely to either identify as independent or as a Republican.
    Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
Adjective
  • Treasured items like heirlooms and family mementos deserve a spotlight, so clearing clutter makes room to honor your personal history and pass down meaningful stories.
    Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 29 June 2025
  • That personal story drove Johnson’s decision to build a career working with assault survivors.
    Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 29 June 2025
Verb
  • The brand’s production is divided between Paris and Istanbul, the latter being a city with family ties for India.
    Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 30 June 2025
  • The Oval Office’s ‘One, Big, Beautiful Bill’ has divided opinion, after estimates from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) found the policies would cost the poorest Americans roughly $1,600 a year while increasing the income of the wealthiest households by an average of $12,000 annually.
    Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 29 June 2025
Verb
  • Part two is almost contradictory to part one’s idea.
    Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2025
  • Lily-Rose Depp Lily-Rose Depp added a touch of attitude to her overall look at the 97th annual Oscars, parting her hair on the right side of her face.
    Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • This component classifies requests and forwards to the WAF just the ones needing inspection, such as dynamic content requests, and offloads the WAF by caching responses.
    Alexander Krizhanovsky, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
  • The shooting now classified as a-homicide was the third killing reported during a violent weekend in Kansas City, as temperatures soared above 90 degrees across the region.
    Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 22 June 2025
Verb
  • What’s driving these gains isn’t just isolated use cases or incremental automation.
    Nirit Cohen, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
  • The Republican Study Committee's Maximum Pressure initiative includes 10 bills designed to cut off Tehran's remaining funding, freeze their assets, isolate their regime, and protect U.S. interests.
    Kristen Waggoner, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Separate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/separate. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

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