separate
verb (used with object)
to keep apart or divide, as by an intervening barrier or space.
was separating
-
past progressiveof separate.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“I started thinking about this in a way that I think was separating me from the pain of what was happening,” Crystal told the outlet.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 15, 2026
“The challenge was separating the North American assets from the rest of the company.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 6, 2026
Discovery announced in June that it was separating into two publicly listed companies.
From Barron's ● Jan. 5, 2026
Ms Meloni announced last week that she was separating from her long-term partner after a recording was broadcast on a satirical TV show.
From BBC ● Oct. 25, 2023
I was separating screws from nails into jars on your workbench when they came up the path.
From "Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer" by Kelly Jones
