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
In flying cars, that difference often separates experimental designs from aircraft ready for real-world service.
—
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 14 Feb. 2026
This level of oversight and focus is what separates expert DHI centers from clinics that merely advertise the technique.
—Daniel Fusch, jsonline.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Here’s where Skattebo separates himself from basically every other rookie in the league.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 11 Feb. 2026
One of the most emotionally striking parts of this research includes my realization that only one generation separates me from my indigenous past—a fact that was not common knowledge in my family until now.
—Literary Hub, 10 Feb. 2026
That’s one of the things that separates him.
—Josh Yohe, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Without that key step, you can’t be classified as a true star; the presence of those fusion reactions, where hydrogen gets fused into helium, separates stars from all other heavenly bodies.
—Big Think, 6 Feb. 2026
The deer can occasionally be spotted on the lawn that separates the casitas from the main building and on the paths through the property.
—John Newton, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Feb. 2026
Iris Apatow and Coco Arquette were among the crowd, kitted out in chic suiting and separates—and the Dash bag; every New York City girl’s ride-or-die desk to dinner handbag.
—Freya Drohan, Vogue, 4 Feb. 2026
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 14 Feb. 2026
This level of oversight and focus is what separates expert DHI centers from clinics that merely advertise the technique.
—Daniel Fusch, jsonline.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Here’s where Skattebo separates himself from basically every other rookie in the league.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 11 Feb. 2026
One of the most emotionally striking parts of this research includes my realization that only one generation separates me from my indigenous past—a fact that was not common knowledge in my family until now.
—Literary Hub, 10 Feb. 2026
That’s one of the things that separates him.
—Josh Yohe, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Without that key step, you can’t be classified as a true star; the presence of those fusion reactions, where hydrogen gets fused into helium, separates stars from all other heavenly bodies.
—Big Think, 6 Feb. 2026
The deer can occasionally be spotted on the lawn that separates the casitas from the main building and on the paths through the property.
—John Newton, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Feb. 2026
Iris Apatow and Coco Arquette were among the crowd, kitted out in chic suiting and separates—and the Dash bag; every New York City girl’s ride-or-die desk to dinner handbag.
—Freya Drohan, Vogue, 4 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for separates
Verb
-
The company divides services into distinct phases — typically including investigation, resolution and ongoing support — helping taxpayers understand how their case progresses from evaluation to resolution.—
Roxanne Downer,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
Later, Hamilton parts the sea on his kick scooter, speedily escaping from the hectic press area.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Sturm has an acquaintance who classifies the bumper position as a diamond.—
Fluto Shinzawa,
New York Times,
31 Jan. 2026
-
While there are some differences in how HBO and Nielsen collect their viewing data, the most likely explanation lies in how Nielsen classifies the show for its streaming rankings and Heated Rivalry’s release schedule.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Hard Truths premiered at the 2024 Toronto Film Festival and followed Marianne Jean-Baptiste as Pansy, an angry and depressed woman who lashes out at family and strangers, and whose constant criticism slowly isolates her.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Power Without Corruption Mission has used a high-quality and ultra-low-noise toroidal transformer for 778CDT’s internal power architecture, which isolates critical pathways.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The startup differentiates itself from other AI entrants in the logistics space, such as HappyRobot, by focusing strictly on revenue generation.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Today’s Pathfinder and QX60 are both three-row SUVs that feature unibody construction that differentiates them from the three-row body-on-frame Nissan Armada and Infiniti QX80.—
Joel Feder,
The Drive,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Birdie’s life splits apart when her parents separate, her father taking Birdie’s beloved sister and her mother going on the run with Birdie.—
The Know,
Denver Post,
15 Feb. 2026
-
In late 2025, Gee and nine of her classmates at Monroe County High School spent 33 days studying under sculptor Andrew Wielawski, who splits his time between his studios in south central rural Kentucky and Italy.—
Maggie Menderski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Statues and nameplates reveal better than anything else how much his idea of power diverges from the traditional institution of the American presidency.—
Gal Beckerman,
The Atlantic,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Brendan Brady, Tierney’s producing partner through their Accent Aigu Entertainment banner, notes that the Canadian TV model diverges from the American one, in that the producer retains ownership of the IP while collecting a licensing fee from the broadcaster.—
Max Gao,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
What distinguishes this generation is a willingness to blend registers.—
Callum McLennan,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
-
What most distinguishes you from your opponent(s)?—
Delores Rangel,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Separates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/separates. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
