1
as in divides
to set or force apart
we tried to separate the gluey pages, but they were stuck tight
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in parts
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 classifies
to arrange or assign according to type
separate the students by reading ability
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in isolates
to set or keep apart from others
separated the injured calf from the herd
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in differentiates
to understand or point out the difference in
trying to separate science from religion on one specific point
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 separates
These were second only to the charming spring 2026 collection that, in sync with the theme, hinged on slipdresses with lace inlays, airy blouses and pants with delicate embellishments, crochet separates and lingerie pieces.
—
Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2025
Such is the fickle nature of the NFL, a league that can humble teams in the same amount of time that separates a 40-40 tie game from a generational clock-management blunder.
—Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
When play crossed Round Swamp Road, the roadway that cuts between Bethpage Black and separates the 14th and 15th holes, this tournament flew into the stratosphere.
—Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2025
One more win separates the Red Sox from their first postseason appearance since 2021.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 26 Sep. 2025
Immediately after the court separates the Fed from its regulatory functions, the Congress should give those powers to the FDIC, whose chair, under current law, can be removed by the president at will.
—Tom Campbell, Oc Register, 24 Sep. 2025
Any impurities will be in the liquid, which is then run through a multistep distillation process that separates the pure trichlorosilane from anything unwanted.
—IEEE Spectrum, 22 Sep. 2025
The design will retain the outdoor sculpture garden, but the garden would include a new free-to-all arts education center and reading room, and the tall steel fencing that now separates the garden from the public along El Prado and near the Old Globe theater campus would be removed.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Sep. 2025
Turns out, that shift in thinking—from content creation to systematic sales—is what separates the brands that dabble from the ones that dominate.
—Renae Gregoire, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2025
Such is the fickle nature of the NFL, a league that can humble teams in the same amount of time that separates a 40-40 tie game from a generational clock-management blunder.
—Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
When play crossed Round Swamp Road, the roadway that cuts between Bethpage Black and separates the 14th and 15th holes, this tournament flew into the stratosphere.
—Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2025
One more win separates the Red Sox from their first postseason appearance since 2021.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 26 Sep. 2025
Immediately after the court separates the Fed from its regulatory functions, the Congress should give those powers to the FDIC, whose chair, under current law, can be removed by the president at will.
—Tom Campbell, Oc Register, 24 Sep. 2025
Any impurities will be in the liquid, which is then run through a multistep distillation process that separates the pure trichlorosilane from anything unwanted.
—IEEE Spectrum, 22 Sep. 2025
The design will retain the outdoor sculpture garden, but the garden would include a new free-to-all arts education center and reading room, and the tall steel fencing that now separates the garden from the public along El Prado and near the Old Globe theater campus would be removed.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Sep. 2025
Turns out, that shift in thinking—from content creation to systematic sales—is what separates the brands that dabble from the ones that dominate.
—Renae Gregoire, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for separates
Verb
-
Analysts say this has pulled the faith’s center of gravity toward the more conservative global south, deepening divides with the West’s more liberal outlook.—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Attached to each loop is a polymerase enzyme, which serves a critical function every time a cell divides.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Sabato's Crystal Ball also classifies the race as leaning toward Republicans.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Forbes classifies Ellison–who bought nearly all of the Hawaiian island Lanai for $300 million in 2012–as a California resident based on his voter registration.—
Ella Malmgren,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
By holding the form constant, Celmins isolates the matter.—
Harmon Siegel,
Artforum,
1 Oct. 2025
-
This is not a wallowing cruiser that isolates the driver in a leather cocoon, floating along, not entirely sure where the front end is.—
Mark Ewing,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Doble said what differentiates Explorium Distilled's concept from Good City Brewing is going to focus more on curating a robust selection of cocktails alongside their brews and food offerings.—
Angelika Ytuarte,
jsonline.com,
24 Sep. 2025
-
What consistently differentiates successful transformations is a disciplined focus on enterprise value, where technology, culture and operations are rewired together rather than in isolation.—
Charisma Glassman,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The tension quickly splits the group.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Hydrogen splits at the anode into protons and electrons.—
Tejasri Gururaj,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Powell’s cautious stance diverges from that of several colleagues on the Fed’s rate-setting committee.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Sep. 2025
-
The company says its results are based on strict benchmarking and a unique system design that diverges from much of the industry.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Loft distinguishes itself with a private spa, comprising a splash pool, sauna, and steam room.—
Michael Verdon,
Robb Report,
28 Sep. 2025
-
That performance distinguishes traditional tube artillery and the HIMARS rocket battery system.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In Israel, the literary world censors, silences, distorts, segregates and thus collaborates with the atrocities perpetrated in Gaza.—
Uriel Kon
September 2,
Literary Hub,
2 Sep. 2025
-
This core-mantle boundary segregates two very different geologic realms.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
4 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Separates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/separates. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share