2
general::
to make something separate
separate
verb [ transitive ] to divide something into two or more parts or groups, or to divide one type of thing from another. You use separate especially when saying that the parts are different from each other:
• Motorola is planning to separate the company into two public companies. • The items are separated into recyclable and non-recyclable waste.
divide
verb [ transitive ] to make something become two or more parts or groups:
• The teacher divided us into groups. • The money was divided between them. • The house is divided into three apartments.
split
verb [ transitive ] to separate something into two or more groups, parts etc – used especially when each part is equal in size:
• The class was split into groups of six.
break something up
phrasal verb [ transitive ] to separate something into several smaller parts, especially to make it easier to deal with:
• The phone company was broken up to encourage competition. • Police used tear gas to break up the crowd.
segregate
verb [ transitive ] to separate one group of people from others because of race, sex, religion etc:
• Schools were racially segregated. • Some prisons segregate prisoners who are infected with HIV.
to become separate
separate
verb [ intransitive ] to divide into different parts, especially in a natural way:
• A watery liquid separates from the milk during cheesemaking.
split
verb [ intransitive ] to separate into two or more parts or groups – used especially when each part is equal in size:
• What happens when an atom splits?
break up
phrasal verb [ intransitive ] to separate into several smaller parts:
• In spring, the icebergs begin to break up.
Longman-Thesaurus
3
general::
verb move/keep people/things apart ADV. completely, totally | carefully | clearly These two branches of the science have now become clearly separated. | effectively | easily, readily One cannot easily separate moral, social and political issues. | formally | legally | physically, spatially | out A magnet separates out scrap iron from the rubbish. VERB + SEPARATE attempt to, try to | be difficult to, be hard to, be impossible to It was impossible to separate the rival fans. PREP. from separating the boys from the girls | into I separated the documents into two piles. PHRASES sharply separated The disciplines of science and engineering are not always sharply separated. | widely separated The two groups became widely separated. stop living together ADV. legally VERB + SEPARATE decide to PREP. from She is separated from her husband., adj. VERBS be | become | remain | keep sb/sth The women are kept separate from the men. | consider sth ADV. very, widely I kept my two lives very separate. species from widely separate parts of the world | absolutely, completely, entirely, quite, totally, wholly The waste water is kept entirely separate from the rainwater. | largely | rather, relatively, somewhat | essentially The two groups are essentially separate and independent. | apparently | hitherto, previously to merge the two previously separate businesses | geographically, physically PREP. from a lifestyle which is quite separate from that of her parents
Oxford Collocations Dictionary