Synonym Chooser

How does the verb depart contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of depart are deviate, digress, diverge, swerve, and veer. While all these words mean "to turn aside from a straight course," depart suggests a deviation from a traditional or conventional course or type.

occasionally departs from his own guidelines

Where would deviate be a reasonable alternative to depart?

The synonyms deviate and depart are sometimes interchangeable, but deviate implies a turning from a customary or prescribed course.

never deviated from her daily routine

When could digress be used to replace depart?

While the synonyms digress and depart are close in meaning, digress applies to a departing from the subject of one's discourse.

a professor prone to digress

How do diverge and depart relate to one another?

Diverge may equal depart but usually suggests a branching of a main path into two or more leading in different directions.

after school their paths diverged

When is it sensible to use swerve instead of depart?

The meanings of swerve and depart largely overlap; however, swerve may suggest a physical, mental, or moral turning away from a given course, often with abruptness.

swerved to avoid hitting the dog

When can veer be used instead of depart?

The words veer and depart are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, veer implies a major change in direction.

at that point the path veers to the right

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of depart Head of recruitment Sam Williams departed in February to re-join Manchester United. The Athletic Uk Staff, The Athletic, 14 Jan. 2025 A day after announcing that CEO Patrick Spence is departing the company, Sonos revealed that chief product officer Maxime Bouvat-Merlin is also leaving. Ars Technica, 14 Jan. 2025 Special counsel Jack Smith turned in his final report to Attorney General Merrick Garland and departed the Department of Justice on Saturday, but whether the public will be able to access the report remains uncertain. Ashley Oliver, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 12 Jan. 2025 The longtime correspondent departs the series after serving as a cohost for roughly 17 years. Julia Teti, WWD, 10 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for depart 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for depart
Verb
  • Biden and first lady Jill Biden will exit the Capitol grounds by plane after the transfer of power and return to private life.
    Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 17 Jan. 2025
  • But rather confusingly, this fracas appears to have been staged so that duo can exit their top-secret careers as globe-trotting clandestine agents, disappearing together into civilian life.
    Dennis Harvey, Variety, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Jeffrey Takeyama Jeffrey Takeyama, 69, died in the Palisades Fire.
    Minyvonne Burke, NBC News, 17 Jan. 2025
  • In Kansas, the State Child Death Review Board reported that no children died of fentanyl in 2017 through 2019, 11 died in 2020 and nine died in 2021.
    Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The couple had just moved from their modest fixer-upper in Altadena’s Janes Village to their dream home in architect Gregory Ain’s Park Planned homes, when the Eaton fire roared to life.
    Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025
  • While Alt moved from the left side to the right, Latham made the reverse transition and played well in his first season at left tackle.
    Dane Brugler, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Decades later, in 2002, the truth was revealed at The Second World Space Congress—that is, Laika perished within hours of launching.
    Scott Travers, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025
  • More than 100,000 Dutch Jews perished—roughly 75 percent of the country’s Jewish population.
    Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The desire for eco-friendly buildings has gone mainstream.
    Rotem Eylor, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
  • But there’s also no shame going with the sidekick, who proved his mettle after 10 games out by not missing a single defensive beat.
    Dom Luszczyszyn, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • In light of latest jobs report, the Fed could wait and see if inflation falls closer to target levels, while remaining somewhat assured that the labor market will remain sturdy.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 10 Jan. 2025
  • Trees or limbs that fall onto a shoulder, sidewalk or public right-of-way should be reported by calling 311 or using the CLT+ mobile app.
    Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Biden's plan was to enable applicants to stay with their families while immigration officials determined their cases, touting it as a far more humane way to carry out the process and get more people green cards or permanent resident status.
    Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
  • People with low credit scores can also have trouble getting a loan or can be forced to borrow at higher interest rates.
    Noam N. Levey, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Add a layer of snow and the lawn may disappear for months at a time.
    Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Jan. 2025
  • One of the most popular social media apps in the country may disappear next week.
    Sam Baker, Axios, 10 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near depart

Cite this Entry

“Depart.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/depart. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on depart

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