Also means
to space out, to spread apart
Usage Note
Distanziare takes avere as its auxiliary. In sport it means to pull ahead of a rival (ha distanziato gli avversari = 'he pulled away from his opponents'). In spatial or social contexts it means to place things at intervals or maintain distance. The reflexive distanziarsi means 'to distance oneself' from a person or position.
Examples
"Il corridore ha distanziato tutti gli altri."
Natural Translation
The runner outdistanced all the others.

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