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
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Recent Examples of separating
Stars themselves can generate strong radio bursts, and separating planetary effects from stellar activity requires follow-up observations.
—
Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 1 Feb. 2026
The same grounds crew in charge of the field for the Super Bowl installed the Pro Bowl’s playing turf, a thin layer of infill separating it from the concrete convention center floor.
—Evan Webeck, Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2026
Minten propelled the Bruins to a win, further separating the Bruins from the Leafs and other teams outside the playoff picture.
—Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
Many owners benefit from separating funds into clear categories.
—Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
So realistically, separating traditional and contemporary country albums wasn’t particularly a stretch.
—Tom Roland, Billboard, 30 Jan. 2026
Despite this, the edition offered by Goldin Auction was originally printed and distributed so that colonists could read the Second Continental Congress’ argument for separating from Great Britain in July 1776.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 29 Jan. 2026
Choose zones that make sense based on your individual lifestyle—that could mean separating items by ingredient type or meal type (think breakfast, dinner, and tea/coffee).
—Heather Riske, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Jan. 2026
Jolie and Pitt finalized their divorce in December 2024, more than eight years after separating.
—Grace Gavilanes, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 1 Feb. 2026
The same grounds crew in charge of the field for the Super Bowl installed the Pro Bowl’s playing turf, a thin layer of infill separating it from the concrete convention center floor.
—Evan Webeck, Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2026
Minten propelled the Bruins to a win, further separating the Bruins from the Leafs and other teams outside the playoff picture.
—Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
Many owners benefit from separating funds into clear categories.
—Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
So realistically, separating traditional and contemporary country albums wasn’t particularly a stretch.
—Tom Roland, Billboard, 30 Jan. 2026
Despite this, the edition offered by Goldin Auction was originally printed and distributed so that colonists could read the Second Continental Congress’ argument for separating from Great Britain in July 1776.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 29 Jan. 2026
Choose zones that make sense based on your individual lifestyle—that could mean separating items by ingredient type or meal type (think breakfast, dinner, and tea/coffee).
—Heather Riske, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Jan. 2026
Jolie and Pitt finalized their divorce in December 2024, more than eight years after separating.
—Grace Gavilanes, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for separating
Verb
-
Meanwhile the question of whether events contracts on sports amount to financial derivatives or gambling is dividing the sports gambling industry — and tying federal courts in knots.—
Alex Sherman,Contessa Brewer,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The clearance rate is calculated by dividing the number of homicide cases opened in a year by the number of homicide cases closed in a year.—
Sam Charles,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Zoom in through the dark clouds parting to reveal a figure falling face downward, clearly a female form in stiletto heels descending toward Earth.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2026
-
But this time there also are tangible targets for the Heat and the rest of the league, with Ja Morant’s contretemps with the Memphis Grizzlies, Giannis Antetokounmpo’s flailing supporting cast with the Milwaukee Bucks and Anthony Davis’ likely parting from the Dallas Mavericks.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Young Women’s Leadership Academy has students in grades 6-12 and has an 85% minority population, with 65% of total students classifying as Hispanic and 20% as African-American.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The State Department regularly updates advisories and warnings for destinations around the world, classifying them from its lowest Level 1 advisory to its highest Level 4.—
Michael Cappetta,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
If Vegas represented a prosocial form of betting, every technological trend seems hellbent on moving us in the opposite direction, largely by offering ever more warped, addictive, and isolating versions of the casino for our phones.—
Jasper Craven,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Find your people Motherhood can be isolating.—
Beth Ann Mayer,
Parents,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
But to Payton, once that line is satisfied, grit is a differentiating factor.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Neither film nor actor seems concerned with differentiating between reality and fiction.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Instead of installing the usual front dinette, Eiffeland moves the unit to the center of the van, splitting the bed and kitchen areas with a two-seat transverse dinette set.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
25 Jan. 2026
-
While the House passed the DHS bill separately from the rest of the bills, they were all tied together into one bill to be sent to the Senate, meaning the majority of Republicans would need to support splitting the bill up.—
Garrett Downs,
CNBC,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But amid big swings in equity markets on geopolitical headlines, macro uncertainty, and central bank interest rate policies around the world that are diverging, the classic advice to seek diversification in a portfolio and make tweaks on the margins may lead to a little extra juice in 2026 returns.—
Krysta Escobar,Eric Rosenbaum,
CNBC,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Nearly six years later, the gap between the top and bottom of the K is still diverging.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
By distinguishing between temporary and irreversible material changes, the new monitoring method provides a great basis for improving the tests.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Creating a dedicated deck for intimate meals—including formal five-course dinners prepared by the boat’s Ecuadorian chef with an all-inclusive wine and spirits menu—was central to distinguishing Hermes’s offering.—
Julia Zaltzman,
Robb Report,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Separating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/separating. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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