decouple vs separate

decouple is not a noun while separate is a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
decouple	No	No	Yes	No
separate	Yes	Yes	Yes	No

As verbs, separate is a hypernym of decouple; that is, separate is a word with a broader meaning than decouple:

Other hypernyms of decouple include differentiate, distinguish, secern, secernate, severalise, severalize, tell, tell apart.

decouple (noun)	separate (noun)
	a garment that can be purchased separately and worn in combinations with other garments
	a separately printed article that originally appeared in a larger publication

decouple (adjective)	separate (adjective)
	independent; not united or joint
	standing apart; not attached to or supported by anything
	separated according to race, sex, class, or religion
	have the connection undone; having become separate

decouple (verb)	separate (verb)
reduce or eliminate the coupling of (one circuit or part to another)	become separated into pieces or fragments
eliminate airborne shock waves from (an explosive)	divide into two or more branches so as to form a fork
regard as unconnected	arrange or order by classes or categories
disconnect or separate	mark as different
	move or break apart
	force, take, or pull apart
	divide into components or constituents
	go one's own way; move apart
	make a division or separation
	treat differently on the basis of sex or race
	separate into parts or portions
	discontinue an association or relation; go different ways
	act as a barrier between; stand between