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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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
How the bid was won and the base camps secured, though, are substantial separate stories in themselves. —Kansas City Star, 15 Feb. 2026 For game developers, each separate universe is an enticing sandbox to play in. —Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 15 Feb. 2026
Verb
It is expected to connect Azerbaijan and its autonomous Nakhchivan exclave, which are separated by a 20-mile-wide patch of Armenian territory. —Michelle L. Price, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026 Three Swiss pairs all follow closely behind, with the top four separated by less than half a second. —Isabel Yip, NBC news, 9 Feb. 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 disappearance of Savannah Guthrie’s mom has left a lot of people scrambling in different ways.
    — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Woodblock plans to work with leading animation studios from around the world to animate episodes that feature creatures from different countries and regions.
    — Ed Meza, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of different
Adjective
  • The officer fired a single shot from his handgun, striking Sosa-Celis in his right thigh.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Raise the minimum wage, ban private equity and institutional investors from buying single family homes, provide incentives to emerging industries like clean energy to bring new high paying jobs to Texas.
    — Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Definition of single
Adjective
  • The movies that would be honored here, by contrast, were bolder than the Spirits usually go, resulting in a truly independent raft of winners.
    — Film Editor, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2026
  • Justices must also remain sufficiently independent to make decisions unpopular with executive and legislative officials.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Feb. 2026
Definition of independent
Adjective
  • Everyone’s personal experience of the pizza, or of the healing, or of the spiritual awakening, Gilbert said, was going to be completely different.
    — Lilit Marcus, CNN Money, 16 Feb. 2026
  • The service Smiling, friendly, and personal.
    — Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Feb. 2026
Definition of personal
Verb
  • Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital said the two men were hit near the ceasefire line that divides Gaza, with one half under Israeli military control.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Developer Scott Gibbel had initially presented plans for three buildings on the site, but, following mixed reviews from commissioners at a meeting in December, the proposal was revised, with a 218,700 square-foot structure divided into two separate buildings.
    — Jennifer Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of divide
Verb
  • The room lit up and the crowd parted.
    — Leigh Nordstrom, Footwear News, 13 Feb. 2026
  • The owner of The Jessica Simpson Collection’s darker hair was worn down and long and parted in the center, and her glam consisted of a sultry smokey eye.
    — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of part
Verb
  • The case is the first time the Justice Department has attempted to classify critical speech from prominent Trump detractors as a crime.
    — Jeremy Roebuck, Washington Post, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Commercial prediction markets have resisted efforts by states to classify and regulate them as gambling companies, insisting that they — like their precursor in Iowa — should be overseen by federal regulators.
    — Suzy Khimm, NBC news, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of classify
Verb
  • Insulating silicone gaskets and foam silicone pads isolate the electronics and fans at the bottom from heat above; a fine steel mesh allows air to flow upwards from the fans, while preventing debris from falling into the componentry.
    — Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 13 Feb. 2026
  • The team landed on a waterfront house in Bellport, Long Island, which was easily accessible for the crew while appearing isolated.
    — Mekita Rivas, Architectural Digest, 12 Feb. 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 16 Feb. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of separate for Spanish Speakers

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