separate 1 of 2

adjective

ˈse-p(ə-)rət How to pronounce separate (audio)
Definition of separatenext
1
as in different
not the same or shared we stayed in separate apartments on our vacation

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
as in independent
not being under the rule or control of another the former Soviet republic is now a separate country

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4
as in personal
of, relating to, or belonging to a single person the husband and wife each have separate interests

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

separate

2 of 2

verb

ˈse-pə-ˌrāt How to pronounce separate (audio)
1
as in to divide
to set or force apart we tried to separate the gluey pages, but they were stuck tight

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
as in to classify
to arrange or assign according to type separate the students by reading ability

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4
as in to isolate
to set or keep apart from others separated the injured calf from the herd

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5
as in to differentiate
to understand or point out the difference in trying to separate science from religion on one specific point

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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
Multiple people remarked with surprise and relief about the success of the coordination effort, given the Senate's reputation as a group of independent-minded legislators leading separate fiefdoms. — Eric McDaniel, NPR, 28 Aug. 2026 To independently assess that target, TÜV Rheinland solar expert Giorgio Bardizza conducted three separate tests at Aptera’s final assembly facility in California. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026
Verb
On Thursday, in state district courtrooms in Tarrant County that are separated by a floor, juries in the blunt-force trauma homicide trials found both defendants guilty of murder. — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026 Once again, the internet is having a hard time separating fact from fiction. — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for separate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for separate
  1. different
  2. single
  3. independent
  4. personal
  5. divide
  6. part
  7. classify
  8. isolate
Adjective
  • The system administrator should have different capabilities than a patrol officer.
    — Irene Wright, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Chaparral features interchangeable cargo pods, enabling operators to adapt the aircraft for different missions without altering its core platform.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of different
Adjective
  • There isn’t room on a roster to list all the positions where North Chicago senior Amari Earl could play in a single game.
    — Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Furthermore, the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index retreated significantly from the record high set in the previous session, tumbling nearly 8% overnight to mark its largest single-day loss since June 5.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of single
Adjective
  • Meta is also promising to do a better job of verifying users' ages and has agreed to report regularly to an independent auditor.
    — Rhitu Chatterjee, NPR, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The agreement also fully exempts credits for independent film — which account for 10% of the $750 million program — from the cap.
    — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of independent
Adjective
  • Instead, detectives say the group used falsified invoices and documents and transferred cash into personal bank accounts.
    — Chelsea Jones, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • For an undergraduate student living off campus, Detroit Mercy estimates $3,220 for transportation and $10,830 for personal and miscellaneous expenses.
    — Adrienne Roberts, Freep.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of personal
Verb
  • The case has become a national cultural fixation and a social media spectacle, gripping and dividing spectators well beyond the Massachusetts courtroom where the 36-year-old mother is charged with killing her three young children.
    — Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Essentially a form of computational fluid dynamics, the simulation divides the flow passages into a very large number of tiny regions and calculates things such as velocity, pressure, turbulence, and temperature throughout the component.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of divide
Verb
  • When their plan goes horribly awry, the couple is parted once again.
    — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026
  • In its place is a head of dark, longer hair parted down the middle, with loose curtain bangs falling across his forehead and framing his face.
    — Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of part
Verb
  • Back then, Pluto was classified as a full planet, but the discovery of 1992 QB-1, as well as Kuiper Belt objects even larger than Pluto found later, raised questions about Pluto's status.
    — Tariq Malik, Space.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • In some cases, LinkedIn says views of content classified as AI spam have decreased by as much as 40 percent.
    — Gene Marks, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of classify
Verb
  • The rare meeting underscored Washington's willingness to reopen high-level diplomatic channels with Moscow, even as European allies have intended to keep the nation isolated while the war continues.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
  • When practical, keep at least one backup disconnected from your computer or otherwise isolated from routine activity.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of isolate

Browse Nearby Words

separable
separate
separated
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Cite this Entry

“Separate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/separate. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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