1
as in dividing
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 parting
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 classifying
to arrange or assign according to type
separate the students by reading ability
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4
as in isolating
to set or keep apart from others
separated the injured calf from the herd
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in differentiating
to understand or point out the difference in
trying to separate science from religion on one specific point
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of separating
Charles’s timing makes the benefits of separating those roles more obvious.
—
Erin Vanderhoof, Vanity Fair, 26 Apr. 2026
The couple sat in a vestibule inside the Aurora immigration detention facility on a Saturday in March, staring at each other through the glass barrier separating the incarcerated from the free.
—Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 26 Apr. 2026
Delp is strong, quick and fluid in his movements, separating well over the middle.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
Israel’s new yellow line in southern Lebanon appears similarly divisive, separating 55 towns and villages from the rest of the country.
—Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
One group of more than 200 variants showed improved performance in separating light rare-earth elements, a key challenge in refining critical materials.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 23 Apr. 2026
Plant division is the simple act of digging up plants, separating them into smaller pieces, and replanting divisions in the garden.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2026
Strait of Gibraltar This channel connects the Mediterranean Sea with the Atlantic Ocean while also separating Europe from Africa.
—Scott Spires, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026
Removing barriers The new facility seeks to provide more dignity for clients and remove barriers that keep victims from separating themselves from harmful environments, Mortensen said.
—Elliot Mann, Twin Cities, 19 Apr. 2026
Erin Vanderhoof, Vanity Fair, 26 Apr. 2026
The couple sat in a vestibule inside the Aurora immigration detention facility on a Saturday in March, staring at each other through the glass barrier separating the incarcerated from the free.
—Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 26 Apr. 2026
Delp is strong, quick and fluid in his movements, separating well over the middle.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
Israel’s new yellow line in southern Lebanon appears similarly divisive, separating 55 towns and villages from the rest of the country.
—Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
One group of more than 200 variants showed improved performance in separating light rare-earth elements, a key challenge in refining critical materials.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 23 Apr. 2026
Plant division is the simple act of digging up plants, separating them into smaller pieces, and replanting divisions in the garden.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2026
Strait of Gibraltar This channel connects the Mediterranean Sea with the Atlantic Ocean while also separating Europe from Africa.
—Scott Spires, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026
Removing barriers The new facility seeks to provide more dignity for clients and remove barriers that keep victims from separating themselves from harmful environments, Mortensen said.
—Elliot Mann, Twin Cities, 19 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for separating
Verb
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The University of Massachusetts poll, fielded among 1,000 Americans, found 74% believe there are more things uniting them than dividing them.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
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Michelle Boudreau Design mixed a white dividing wall with hedges that don't block the view of palm trees in this desert backyard.—
Kristin Hohenadel,
The Spruce,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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So, consider their timeless appeal and potential worth before parting ways with your music collection.—
Alexandra Kelly,
Martha Stewart,
26 Apr. 2026
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The first part is the dark clouds parting and the sun shining through and the patient, the people have a new world of opportunity and promise and health, and then comes the second half of the drug.—
Torie Bosch,
STAT,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The funeral home building was demolished in 2024 after the EPA condemned it, classifying it as a toxic waste site.—
Brian Sherrod,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
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Whether the law survives looming legal challenges—rooted in a 1933 state Supreme Court ruling classifying income as property—remains an open question.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Curated by Our Editors Ultimately, public health workers got control of the outbreak through testing, contact tracing, isolating of sick and exposed individuals and vaccination.—
Tanya Lewis,
Scientific American,
29 Apr. 2026
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After the initial flattery, the tone shifts to isolating phrases.—
Kathy and Ross Petrass,
CNBC,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Mexican eatery splits its menu into three, differentiating between meat dishes, vegetarian items and vegan dishes to avoid any potential confusion.—
Sean Timberlake,
Sacbee.com,
22 Apr. 2026
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In a joint report documenting a meeting between counsel for the two parties entered in the case filing, Coastal Caviar further outlined their position, differentiating themselves from Lagos's Caviar brand.—
Tabitha Parent,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The plant will feed on renewable power from Paraguay’s vast Itaipu dam to produce hydrogen by splitting water through electrolysis, which is then combined with nitrogen to create zero-carbon ammonia.—
Natasha Bracken,
semafor.com,
28 Apr. 2026
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The shooting has also intensified calls by conservatives to fully fund DHS through a single bill — blaming Democrats for the shutdown and arguing that splitting apart ICE and Border Patrol funding will only give the minority party leverage.—
Mike Lillis,
The Hill,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Asia-Pacific markets were trading lower Friday, diverging from Wall Street's record-setting rally.—
Leonie Kidd,
CNBC,
17 Apr. 2026
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Likewise diverging from the norm, a Retiarius on a pottery relief from Gaul, instead of being almost naked, wears a helmet, body armor, and greaves.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The second distinguishing feature of liveblogs is their tone of voice, which is often dialogic in nature.—
Daniel Jackson,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
27 Apr. 2026
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Technology enables simultaneous production of hydrogen The team also pointed out that this technology enables the simultaneous production of hydrogen and chemical feedstocks such as formate, distinguishing it from conventional water electrolysis processes that produce only hydrogen.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Separating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/separating. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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