compartmentalize
Keep things apart
To compartmentalize is to separate things into distinct sections or categories, keeping them isolated from one another.
The word often describes a mental strategy for managing conflicting emotions, roles, or information: She compartmentalized her work stress so it wouldn't affect her home life.
Someone who compartmentalizes can hold contradictory beliefs or cope with trauma by keeping difficult thoughts walled off from everyday functioning.
Separate into parts
- isolateSeparate from others
- segmentDistinct part of whole
- sectionDistinct divided part
- segregateSeparate by category
silo · disconnect · dissociate · split · demarcate · insulate · cordon · quarantine
Arrange by shared traits
- sortMethod of ordering
- labelIdentifying attachment or marker
- groupAssembled collection of things
- systematizeArrange into ordered structure
organize · file · index · codify · arrange · allocate · assign · subdivide
Storage or disposal vessel
- containerThing for storing items
- drawerSliding furniture compartment
- cabinetEnclosed storage furniture
- boxLidded storage container
locker · shelf · crate · divider · folder · tray · slot · cubby
Forcibly put an end to
- repressHold back forcibly
- detachTo separate from
- dissociateSever a mental link
- distanceSpace between two points
cope · manage · process · emotions · trauma · feelings · stress · protect
Reduced, potent form
- prioritizeRank by importance
- dedicateSet apart formally
- narrowOf small width
- targetObject of pursuit
hone · streamline · specialize · channel · direct · funnel · distill
divide
Separate into parts
segregate · silo · disconnect · dissociate · split · demarcate · insulate · cordon · quarantine · detach
classify
Arrange by shared traits
systematize · organize · file · index · codify · arrange · allocate · assign · subdivide · order
bin
Storage or disposal vessel
- containerThing for storing items
- drawerSliding furniture compartment
- cabinetEnclosed storage furniture
box · locker · shelf · crate · divider · folder · tray · slot · cubby · pocket
suppress
Forcibly put an end to
- repressHold back forcibly
- detachTo separate from
- dissociateSever a mental link
distance · cope · manage · process · emotions · trauma · feelings · stress · protect · buffer
concentrate
Reduced, potent form
- prioritizeRank by importance
- dedicateSet apart formally
- narrowOf small width
target · hone · streamline · specialize · channel · direct · funnel · distill
- organizecategorize, classify, sort, arrange, group
- mental processesthinking, think, reasoning, cognition, pondering
- disconnectingdetaching, disconnect, disengaging, detach, disconnecting
- gathering verbsgather, collect, accumulate, amass, compile
- separatesort, filter, sift, divide, split
- unfasteningunfasten, detach, disconnect, unbuckle, unbutton
compartmentalizeintegrate
Combine into unified whole
synthesize · unify · combine · merge · consolidate
compartmentalized, compartmentalizing, compartmentalizes, compartmentalise