What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
dissociation
Example
The trauma caused her to experience dissociation from reality. [dissociation: noun]
Example
The acid dissociated into its component ions in water. [dissociated: verb]
Example
The political party faced dissociation due to internal conflicts. [dissociation: noun]
separation
Example
The separation between the two buildings was only a few feet. [separation: noun]
Example
They decided to get a legal separation before filing for divorce. [separation: noun]
Example
The company implemented a separation of duties policy to prevent fraud. [separation: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Separation is more commonly used than dissociation in everyday language. Separation is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while dissociation is often used in a psychological or scientific context.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between dissociation and separation?
Dissociation is typically associated with a formal or technical tone, while separation can be used in both formal and informal contexts.