separate 1 of 2

1
as in different
not the same or shared we stayed in separate apartments on our vacation

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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
4

separate

2 of 2

verb

1
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
4
5
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
During his appearance on Live with Kelly and Mark, the actor and television host, 51, revealed that his twin daughters, Charlie and Dolly, 16, will be in separate places for the summer. Kayla Grant, People.com, 11 July 2025 Milwaukee police are investigating two separate shootings on July 10 that left two people, including a young child, dead. Jack Albright, jsonline.com, 11 July 2025
Verb
Crucially, Panda understood that fiber processing couldn’t be separated from farming. Kasi Martin, Sourcing Journal, 9 July 2025 Discovery content will be separated alongside elements like the CNN brand, while Warner Bros. will continue to be the home of TV shows and movies. James Peckham, PC Magazine, 9 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for separate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for separate
Adjective
  • Does this album feel different from other projects after achieving that sense of liberation?
    Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 14 July 2025
  • Silver’s Dual Role as a Precious and Industrial Metal Silver’s story is a little different, but no less compelling.
    Frank Holmes, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • For a single taxpayer, the 12% tax rate applied on taxable income from $11,926 through $48,475 in 2025.
    Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 14 July 2025
  • Support individual stems with single bamboo stakes; multiple stems may benefit from a grow-through grid or tomato cage.
    Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • The documentary, produced by independent company HOYO Films, aired on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer in February before being subsequently removed from the streaming platform.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 July 2025
  • The film, which was an unsparing portrayal of the chaos in Gaza from the perspective of three young people, was later removed from iPlayer. How to Survive a Warzone was produced by Hoyo Films, an independent production company run by Emmy and BAFTA-winning filmmaker Jamie Roberts.
    Jake Kanter, Deadline, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • After a turbulent 18 months in both his personal and professional life, an immediate return to F1’s frontlines would seem unlikely, this now giving him a moment to pause and collect himself.
    Luke Smith, New York Times, 11 July 2025
  • Ra’s decades-long adherence to this personal mythology, along with his air of serene bemusement and his extravagant robes and headdresses, led to his popular image as a colorful eccentric.
    Ekow Eshun July 11, Literary Hub, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • Know the Signs Cucumbers are typically divided into two main categories: slicing cucumbers and pickling cucumbers.
    Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 July 2025
  • Debate at meeting During the board meeting Thursday night, the room was divided between supporters of Mayer, advocates for the students who came forward, and former students who were against Mayer’s employment from being reinstated.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 12 July 2025
Verb
  • Would Anthopoulos be willing to go for it by parting from a promising young catcher to get a pitcher of Giolito's reliability in return?
    Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025
  • The 16-year-old model — whose father is actor Liev Schreiber — also opted for a glowy complexion and wore her blonde hair straightened and parted down the middle.
    Starr Bowenbank, People.com, 9 July 2025
Verb
  • The information, classified as secret, pertained to military targets and Russian military capabilities, according to the plea agreement.
    CBS News, CBS News, 14 July 2025
  • While their exact design and capabilities are classified, Keyhole satellites are believed to provide the sharpest images of any spy satellite in orbit.
    Robert Pearlman, ArsTechnica, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • The incident is believed to be isolated and Boodarian is not a suspect in any other burglaries, the sources said.
    Julie Sone, ABC News, 15 July 2025
  • While some environmental bacteria are known to isolate PFAS, the chemicals' interaction with human gut bacteria has been unclear.
    Jay Kakade July 12, New Atlas, 12 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Separate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/separate. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

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