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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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
But the real highlight of this room type is the large and spacious bathroom with a separate shower and cast iron tub, perfect for soaking in after a long day of exploring the city. —Mae Hamilton, Travel + Leisure, 24 May 2025 Unlike comparable repair programs, like AppleCare, Coros owners do not have to pay into a separate warranty or coverage program in addition to the repair cost. —Julian Chokkattu, Wired News, 24 May 2025
Verb
The two teams were never separated by more than seven points in the second half, and the Aggies forced overtime when QB Kellen Mond found Quartney Davis for a contested, 19-yard score in the back of the end zone as time expired. —David Ubben, New York Times, 22 May 2025 The two objects will be separated by a rather wide gap: roughly 7 degrees, which is approximately equal to three-quarters of the apparent width of your fist held at arm's length. —Joe Rao, Space.com, 22 May 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
  • But Mbappe chose to distance himself from that debate and his opening season was different to Ronaldo’s.
    — Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 28 May 2025
  • Young, a British Columbia native who played for three different colleges and spent seven seasons in the minors before playing for the Doosan Bears in South Korea last season, hit his fourth career Major League homer and his first since September 2009 with the Chicago Cubs.
    — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 28 May 2025
Definition of different
Adjective
  • But seeing that ship in space today was a hell of a moment for us, so congratulations to every single person who put time, effort, sweat, anything, into that rocket.
    — Mike Wall, Space.com, 28 May 2025
  • The Cubs built a 2-0 lead in the first against Germán Márquez when Seiya Suzuki had an RBI single and Crow-Armstrong hit into a run-scoring forceout.
    — Gavin Dorsey, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2025
Definition of single
Adjective
  • Trump and his team take an expansive view of the president’s powers, which has been met with resistance from federal judges, congressional Democrats, and independent agencies such as the GAO.
    — Haisten Willis, The Washington Examiner, 27 May 2025
  • As pope, Leo serves as leader of both the Holy See, the governing body of the Catholic Church, and Vatican City, an independent state.
    — Russ Bynum, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2025
Definition of independent
Adjective
  • Some boats are large enough to carry personal kayaks and camping equipment.
    — Joe Yogerst, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
  • Also, having everything taken away in my own personal life.
    — Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 May 2025
Definition of personal
Verb
  • Divided Society Finally, the uneven distribution of access to and benefits from humanoid technology could divide society even further.
    — Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
  • These changes, called genetic mutations, cause bone marrow cells to grow and divide too quickly.11 Experts don’t fully understand why these genetic mutations happen.
    — Health, Health, 24 May 2025
Definition of divide
Verb
  • Sitting cross-legged on the floor while her scalp was parted and pulled by a cousin, an auntie, someone who loved her.
    — Ruhama Wolle, Vogue, 22 May 2025
  • The crowd parted, and a tiny woman with a big smile emerged.
    — Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 May 2025
Definition of part
Verb
  • Our writers picked a few obvious candidates (anytime Lamar Jackson-Patrick Mahomes clash in any year classifies as must-see).
    — Dan Pompei, New York Times, 19 May 2025
  • Based on double-occupancy stateroom bookings, groups typically need to have a minimum of five to eight cabins to be classified as a group.
    — Linnea Bailey, Southern Living, 18 May 2025
Definition of classify
Verb
  • He is isolated in Sweden — far away from coaching candidates, far away from Penguins assistant GM Jason Spezza — left to find his next coach on a schedule six hours ahead of Eastern Time.
    — Josh Yohe, New York Times, 19 May 2025
  • Extreme anxiety and extreme depression is isolating.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 18 May 2025
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 2 Jun. 2025.

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