In English vocabulary and word usage, select the antonym (word opposite in meaning) of the word "coalesce", which means to come together, blend, or unite into a single whole.

Introduction / Context:
Coaching exams and competitive English tests often check whether a learner can quickly identify antonyms, that is, words with opposite meanings. In this question you are asked to select the antonym of the word "coalesce", which is a relatively formal verb used in academic, scientific, and general English writing. Understanding such words helps learners read editorials, reports, and essays with ease and confidence.

Given Data / Assumptions:
• The target word is "coalesce". • You must choose its antonym, the opposite in meaning. • The options given are "separate", "adhere", "cleave", and "amalgamate". • Only one option is correct, and the others are plausible but wrong.

Concept / Approach:
The verb "coalesce" means to come together to form one mass or whole, to blend or unite. In vocabulary questions, the best way to choose an antonym is to recall the core sense of the word and then look for an option that clearly reverses that sense. If "coalesce" is about joining and uniting, the antonym must express the idea of separating, breaking apart, or moving away from union.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that "coalesce" means to grow together, unite, or combine into a single body. Step 2: Think of the opposite idea, which would be to move apart, break up, or separate into different parts. Step 3: Examine each option and compare it with this opposite meaning. Step 4: Notice that "separate" directly expresses the idea of moving apart or dividing, which is the opposite of uniting. Step 5: Confirm that the remaining options are all closer in meaning to joining or sticking together, not the opposite.

Verification / Alternative check:
A quick dictionary style check helps. "Coalesce" can be paraphrased as "to unite, merge, or fuse". A natural antonym list would include "separate, divide, split, detach". Among the given options, only "separate" matches that list. Therefore, choosing "separate" is consistent with standard dictionary usage and with how the word appears in news articles and textbooks.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
"Adhere" means to stick firmly to something. This suggests a kind of joining, not separating, so it is close in sense to "coalesce". "Cleave" often means to split, but in many contexts it also means to cling or stick closely. In exam usage, it is usually considered closer to adherence or attachment and is not the standard antonym tested here. "Amalgamate" means to mix or unite, especially when firms or groups come together. It is almost a direct synonym of "coalesce", not an opposite.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes get confused by rarer words like "cleave", which has two opposite senses in different contexts. Because of this, they may overthink the answer. In most exam settings, however, the test maker expects you to choose the most direct and widely known opposite. Another common mistake is to choose a word that simply looks unfamiliar, assuming that difficult looking words must be correct. Vocabulary questions reward clear understanding, not guesswork based on appearance.

Final Answer:
The correct antonym of "coalesce" is separate.