1
as in dividing
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 parting
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 classifying
to arrange or assign according to type
separate the students by reading ability
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in isolating
to set or keep apart from others
separated the injured calf from the herd
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in differentiating
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 separating
Removing barriers The new facility seeks to provide more dignity for clients and remove barriers that keep victims from separating themselves from harmful environments, Mortensen said.
—
Elliot Mann, Twin Cities, 19 Apr. 2026
A lot of people have a hard time separating the actor from the character.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 19 Apr. 2026
The dikes would consist of walls surrounding the city, separating it from the lagoon, Lionello said.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026
One remedy that many ticketing advocates and Democratic lawmakers want is for the government to force the breakup of Live Nation and Ticketmaster — which merged in 2010 — separating the concert promoter from the ticket seller.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 16 Apr. 2026
But during their kiss, police swooped in to clear the crowd and wound up separating McSweeney from her kissing partner.
—Diane J. Cho, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
Around age 2 — a stage when young zebras naturally begin separating from their herd — Kurtsie started gravitating toward Bakari.
—Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 16 Apr. 2026
The couple had three daughters before separating in the early 2000s.
—Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 16 Apr. 2026
The Palmer Divide is a ridge separating the South Platte River and Arkansas River basins.
—Olivia Young, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026
Elliot Mann, Twin Cities, 19 Apr. 2026
A lot of people have a hard time separating the actor from the character.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 19 Apr. 2026
The dikes would consist of walls surrounding the city, separating it from the lagoon, Lionello said.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026
One remedy that many ticketing advocates and Democratic lawmakers want is for the government to force the breakup of Live Nation and Ticketmaster — which merged in 2010 — separating the concert promoter from the ticket seller.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 16 Apr. 2026
But during their kiss, police swooped in to clear the crowd and wound up separating McSweeney from her kissing partner.
—Diane J. Cho, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
Around age 2 — a stage when young zebras naturally begin separating from their herd — Kurtsie started gravitating toward Bakari.
—Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 16 Apr. 2026
The couple had three daughters before separating in the early 2000s.
—Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 16 Apr. 2026
The Palmer Divide is a ridge separating the South Platte River and Arkansas River basins.
—Olivia Young, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for separating
Verb
-
Ebus added that interest in Venezuela is already dividing potential investors, with smaller risk-taking firms eager to enter while major companies remain cautious.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Much of the play is dedicated to Asaf trying to figure out this conflict between his progressive views and his faith and sense of history, and also to airing the arguments about Israel that were dividing the left in the George Floyd era and continue to do so in 2026.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Now, Keiko Aoki—widow of Benihana founder Rocky Aoki—is parting ways with her bi-level residence spanning the Fifth Avenue skyscraper’s 33rd and 34th floors.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Fifty dancers lined the area before parting to reveal RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook, dressed in outfits inspired by early Joseon-era generals.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Whether the law survives looming legal challenges—rooted in a 1933 state Supreme Court ruling classifying income as property—remains an open question.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
3 Apr. 2026
-
By classifying sports betting as a public health issue and imposing rigid federal standards, the proposal also significantly limits the autonomy of the states, which have been primarily responsible for the legalization and regulation of this sector since 2018.—
Cláudia Nunes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In 2022, authorities exhumed McBride’s body for additional DNA testing, a step New Jersey State Police said was critical to isolating an unknown male DNA profile from earlier evidence.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The main attraction supported an Inter Miami break along the right wing, eventually isolating Rapids defender Lucas Herrington, 1-on-1, in the back of the box.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
According to Deezer, its users have a hard time differentiating AI tunes from the real deal.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Los Angeles County leaders, meanwhile, have grappled with differentiating the two and regulating the products that come in the form of powder, capsules and drinks and have been linked to six county deaths.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Cities were ranked by the relative different of the cost of renting a one-pedroom apartment and splitting rental costs for a two-bedroom unit equally with a roommate.—
Julia Hawkins,
Idaho Statesman,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Families like the ones served by Knightsbridge may be operating at a different scale, but the underlying pattern—uprooting a household, splitting a family across time zones, reorganizing daily life around one child’s athletic trajectory—is hardly confined to the ultra-wealthy.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Asia-Pacific markets were trading lower Friday, diverging from Wall Street's record-setting rally.—
Leonie Kidd,
CNBC,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Likewise diverging from the norm, a Retiarius on a pottery relief from Gaul, instead of being almost naked, wears a helmet, body armor, and greaves.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In discussions of people like Michael Jackson, some defenders insist on distinguishing between the artist and the art, but a bio-pic is necessarily about both.—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The piece contends that mainstream news outlets maintain legitimate standards requiring verification of allegations before publication, distinguishing serious journalism from gossip trafficking by political rivals.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Separating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/separating. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
