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
Stepping inside, visitors are greeted by a double-sided masonry fireplace that anchors the entryway and separates it from a cozy sitting area and an open dining space.
—
Tori Latham, Robb Report, 30 May 2026
One of the drones hit the roof of an apartment building in Galați, a town on the river Danube that separates Romania, Ukraine and Moldova.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 29 May 2026
But the emotional gravity of this offering's deeply personal, melancholic lyrical content plucks an undeniably profound chord that uniquely separates it from the rest of his work.
—Chris Barilla, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026
Recognizing down to a task level that someone is either willing-able, unwilling-able, willing-unable or unwilling-unable is a foundation that separates leaders from managers.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 29 May 2026
Part of what separates a museum-grade dinosaur from a mediocre one comes down to science and preparation.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 28 May 2026
The video from Part 1 separates into red, green and blue color components, and is inspired by Monet separating instead of mixing color.
—Solvej Schou, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026
What separates it from standard deep breathing is the specific ratio.
—Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 May 2026
What does Conor McGregor have that separates him out?
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 22 May 2026
Tori Latham, Robb Report, 30 May 2026
One of the drones hit the roof of an apartment building in Galați, a town on the river Danube that separates Romania, Ukraine and Moldova.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 29 May 2026
But the emotional gravity of this offering's deeply personal, melancholic lyrical content plucks an undeniably profound chord that uniquely separates it from the rest of his work.
—Chris Barilla, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026
Recognizing down to a task level that someone is either willing-able, unwilling-able, willing-unable or unwilling-unable is a foundation that separates leaders from managers.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 29 May 2026
Part of what separates a museum-grade dinosaur from a mediocre one comes down to science and preparation.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 28 May 2026
The video from Part 1 separates into red, green and blue color components, and is inspired by Monet separating instead of mixing color.
—Solvej Schou, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026
What separates it from standard deep breathing is the specific ratio.
—Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 May 2026
What does Conor McGregor have that separates him out?
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 22 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for separates
Verb
-
Over four seasons, FX's The Bear has been one of the best TV shows ever to explore how food connects us and divides us, featuring tremendous performances and surprising twists.—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
27 May 2026
-
The prospect of more drilling divides some Alaskans.—
Jennifer A. Dlouhy,
Fortune,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
Trever parts his hair to the right while his brother styles his combover to the left.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Later, Hamilton parts the sea on his kick scooter, speedily escaping from the hectic press area.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The World Health Organization (WHO) formally classifies burnout as an occupational phenomenon caused by chronic, unmanaged workplace stress.—
Nakisha Dixon,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
-
To reach customers in an effective way, target marketing considers the differences among customers and classifies them according to their similar needs and preferences.—
Ezgi Eyüboğlu,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
By beginning with 2018, the data isolates a period in which the Chevrolet-Honda rivalry remained important, while the fundamental aerodynamic platform was more consistent across the field.—
Giovanni Malloy,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2026
-
The new data isolates the totals for season two and shows huge improvements year to year, particularly through the middle of the season.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
This differentiates it vastly from typical outlet shopping excursions and tourist traps.—
Cristine Fiorentino,
Travel + Leisure,
22 May 2026
-
The proactive nature of AI agents is what differentiates them from chatbots, and that has also led to some anxieties about the technology's power.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
While Jayne works remotely in marketing, Buffington splits his time between private chef work and pool maintenance.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
24 May 2026
-
Boone noted that the Yankees are going to face some lefties and reverse splits righties — including Tampa Bay’s Shane McClanahan and Kansas City’s Michael Wacha and Noah Cameron — over the coming days.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
What This Means for the Market For investors, the practical implication is a market map that diverges sharply from the pure labor-replacement playbook.—
Josipa Majic Predin,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2026
-
But his account of the incident significantly diverges from there.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
And this minimal processing is what distinguishes whole grain pasta from traditional white or refined pasta, which is typically made from refined wheat flour that has been stripped of the bran and germ.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
24 May 2026
-
Oak adds baking spices and light tannins, while the underlying barley contributes a nutty, slightly rustic depth that distinguishes it from more traditional single malts.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Separates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/separates. Accessed 31 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
