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
The two teams meet Friday, and the betting spread separates them by only a few points — with OU as the close favorite.
—
Steven Louis Goldstein, The Athletic, 27 Dec. 2024
What separates the most successful retailers from those that go bankrupt?
—Peter Cohan, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024
What separates a great investor from a good one is proactivity around identifying and mitigating those risks as soon as the deal is final, preferably even before closing.
—Dan Hawkins, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
What separates the campaigns that make the best-of lists from those that fade into obscurity?
—Gary Drenik, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
This self-discovery process separates personal desires from societal pressures, so your goals are personal, not external.
—Tiffany Grant, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
The incident took place on a road that separates Cass and Carroll Counties.
—Ryan Murphy, The Indianapolis Star, 24 Dec. 2024
Earlier this season, Erik ten Hag, men’s first-team manager at the time, had a wall set up that separates the men’s and women’s pitches to provide privacy around tactics, especially given the number of visitors watching academy games at Carrington on weekends.
—Charlotte Harpur, The Athletic, 23 Dec. 2024
The horizon at the top of the image separates Earth's atmosphere from the vast darkness of space, a reminder of the ISS's unique position, which at this point was some 255 miles above the ground.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024
Steven Louis Goldstein, The Athletic, 27 Dec. 2024
What separates the most successful retailers from those that go bankrupt?
—Peter Cohan, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024
What separates a great investor from a good one is proactivity around identifying and mitigating those risks as soon as the deal is final, preferably even before closing.
—Dan Hawkins, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
What separates the campaigns that make the best-of lists from those that fade into obscurity?
—Gary Drenik, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
This self-discovery process separates personal desires from societal pressures, so your goals are personal, not external.
—Tiffany Grant, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
The incident took place on a road that separates Cass and Carroll Counties.
—Ryan Murphy, The Indianapolis Star, 24 Dec. 2024
Earlier this season, Erik ten Hag, men’s first-team manager at the time, had a wall set up that separates the men’s and women’s pitches to provide privacy around tactics, especially given the number of visitors watching academy games at Carrington on weekends.
—Charlotte Harpur, The Athletic, 23 Dec. 2024
The horizon at the top of the image separates Earth's atmosphere from the vast darkness of space, a reminder of the ISS's unique position, which at this point was some 255 miles above the ground.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for separates
Verb
-
Similarly, the International Monetary Fund classifies the positions expressed by member states during board meetings for up to seven years.—
Allison Carnegie,
Foreign Affairs,
24 Dec. 2024
-
The government typically classifies border protection, medical care, air traffic control, law enforcement, and power grid maintenance as essential.—
Brady Knox,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
19 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
This strategy not only differentiates them in a crowded market but also helps counteract rising production costs.—
Hugo Kimber,
Forbes,
24 Mar. 2025
-
Assuming the products and services do what they are supposed to do and meet their customers’ needs, what differentiates them from competitors is experience.—
Shep Hyken,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Double plating distinguishes a special dish.—
Lisa Shames,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Every year the prize distinguishes one laureate among four French artists or artists living in France and working in plastic or visual arts including installation, video, painting, photography, sculpture or performance.—
Lee Sharrock,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Then, using either his hands or his teeth, the groom removes it and throws it into a crowd of single men.—
Ivana Rihter,
Vogue,
31 Dec. 2024
-
Related Articles Obviously, the best way to avoid hangovers is to not drink at all, but if a celebratory sip is unavoidable this season, Myers recommends staying hydrated with water and electrolytes, getting extra sleep and taking charcoal, which binds to and removes toxins from the body.—
Emily Burns,
WWD,
31 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
But that’s not true of the Echo Show, which smartly relegates the screen to secondary importance.—
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy,
The Verge,
22 Nov. 2024
-
The move relegates Miller Moss to a reserve role after nine uneven starts this season.—
Houston Mitchell,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
Tommy Wheeler, founder of Tidewater Grain, which grows heirloom crops in Pamlico County and distributes from Rowan County, is more optimistic.—
Nora O’Neill,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Apr. 2025
-
Acknowledging this failure, the NSO now distributes a basic one-page bare-bones list of the evening’s music, but that in no way substitutes for the music and artist notes in a full program.—
Marty McBroom,
Baltimore Sun,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Depending on how the Official Charts Company categorizes these versions — based on artwork, tracklists, remastering, and more — they may be counted separately, which helps explain why similar titles can tally such different numbers.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
-
This software layer brings the company's Essential Space, monochromatic icon packs, and a Smart App Drawer (in beta), which automatically categorizes apps in a way similar to iOS.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
26 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Separates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/separates. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share