What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
disassociate
Example
After the scandal, he decided to disassociate himself from the company. [disassociate: verb]
Example
She tried to disassociate herself from the negative comments made by her colleague. [disassociating: gerund or present participle]
separate
Example
The teacher asked the students to separate into groups for the project. [separate: verb]
Example
It's important to separate fact from fiction when researching a topic. [separate: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Separate is more commonly used than disassociate in everyday language, as it has a wider range of applications and is more neutral in connotation.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between disassociate and separate?
Disassociate is generally considered more formal than separate, and is often used in professional or academic contexts.