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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in independent
not being under the rule or control of another the former Soviet republic is now a separate country

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to classify
to arrange or assign according to type separate the students by reading ability

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
Is your vision as a solo artist and your vision as HANA’s producer clearly separate or closely linked? —Billboard Japan, Billboard, 17 Apr. 2025 Todd Harper and Tanya Otsuka, who both served on the NCUA's board, said in separate statements that they had been removed by Trump. —Pete Schroeder, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2025
Verb
On Tuesday, April 15, season 2 of The Valley picked up nearly nine months after Brittany Cartwright and Jax Taylor separated. —Dana Rose Falcone, People.com, 16 Apr. 2025 The transition from general-purpose AI to specialized AI separates companies that unlock sustained ROI from those stuck paying for excessive compute without real gains. —George Stelling, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025 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
  • Pope Francis preached the same gospel in different language.
    — John Hope Bryant, Time, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Subtitles are easy to add to film, but, for the most part, they were used only when actors and audiences spoke different languages.
    — David Owen, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025
Definition of different
Adjective
  • The singer-songwriter first announced the single in January 2024 with an audio excerpt posted on Instagram.
    — Abigail Lee, Variety, 11 Apr. 2025
  • The single reached No. 3 on U.S. Afrobeats Songs and No. 4 on World Digital Song Sales.
    — Heran Mamo, Billboard, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of single
Adjective
  • The government argues that simply means that while the task force can consider a request from the Health and Human Services secretary – and even be fired for not complying – they’re supposed to exercise independent judgment.
    — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Our coverage is independent and objective, and has not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by any of these entities.
    — Paul Rubio, AFAR Media, 21 Apr. 2025
Definition of independent
Adjective
  • Its network of over 900 successful professionals is worth over $5.7 billion as of this writing, and the group is quickly gaining notoriety for its significant influence not just on professional but personal growth.
    — Kody Boye, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The Athletic recently obtained emails in which Hudson showed concern about fans attacking Belichick and his personal life.
    — Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of personal
Verb
  • The city is divided along sectarian lines: The south is home mostly to Sunni Muslims, while the northern neighborhoods are mostly Alawite.
    — Christina Goldbaum, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Passengers are divided on the appropriateness of removing shoes during flights, citing comfort versus hygiene and safety.
    — Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of divide
Verb
  • As clouds of thick smoke and dust began to part, the horror set in.
    — Ashley Killough, CNN Money, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The clouds parted, and Fuji-san emerged to show off its snowcapped peak before the clouds once again obscured it from view, leaving us instead to admire Suruga Bay below.
    — Kristen E. Pope, Travel + Leisure, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of part
Verb
  • The curriculum guides middle school students and teachers through building and evaluating computer vision models that can reliably classify fossil shark teeth.
    — Christine Wusylko, The Conversation, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The International Union for Conservation of Nature classifies the Western Santa Cruz tortoises as critically endangered, estimating approximately 3,400 tortoises remained as of 2010.
    — Ayana Archie, NPR, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of classify
Verb
  • An old John Lennon demo was transformed into a complete song by isolating his vocals (and George Harrison’s guitar tone) and combining that with new recordings from the rest of the living band.
    — Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2025
  • However, because the patient was isolated in a hospital, the more dangerous viruses didn't transmit to others.
    — Amy Maxmen | KFF Health News, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of isolate

Browse Nearby Words

separable
separate
separated
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Separate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/separate. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on separate

Nglish: Translation of separate for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

'Blue Moon,' 'Wolf Moon,' and Other Moons to Look for Throughout the Year

10 Scrabble Words Without Any Vowels
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
name that thing flower edition
Name That Flower Can you tell the difference between a lilac and a...
See All