distinguish vs separate

distinguish is not a noun while separate is a noun.

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

As verbs, distinguish and separate are synonyms defined as:

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

As verbs, separate is a hyponym of distinguish; that is, separate is a word with a more specific, narrower meaning than distinguish:

distinguish (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

distinguish (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

distinguish (verb)	separate (verb)
mark as different	become separated into pieces or fragments
identify as in botany or biology, for example	divide into two or more branches so as to form a fork
be a distinctive feature, attribute, or trait; sometimes in a very positive sense	arrange or order by classes or categories
make conspicuous or noteworthy	mark as different
detect with the senses	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