Definition of departnext

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

Example 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 The strain of hantavirus that has killed three people and sickened five others on a cruise ship is the Andes strain, which is typically found in South America including parts of Argentina, where the luxury cruise ship MV Hondius departed. Lauren Dunn, NBC news, 7 May 2026 The incident took place on May 4 near the Washington Monument, as the motorcade for Vice President JD Vance was departing the White House and passing through the area of 15th Street and Independence Avenue SW, which is heavily populated with tourists. Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 6 May 2026 Rubio departs Washington on Wednesday for Italy and will also meet with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 6 May 2026 The moves come with Miami having to replace Zac Etheridge, who served as defensive backs coach and pass game coordinator in 2025 before departing for the NFL to be on the Arizona Cardinals’ coaching staff. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 6 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for depart
Recent Examples of Synonyms for depart
Verb
  • During a call with analysts later Thursday, Starz president and CEO Jeffrey Hirsch announced Stars has exited its Pay-2 film deal agreement with Universal Pictures.
    Jennifer Maas, Variety, 7 May 2026
  • Ayo Dosunmu made his return from calf soreness, only to exit the game in the first half with heel soreness and not return.
    Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 7 May 2026
Verb
  • Alfredrick Hughes, Loyola’s all-time leading scorer who helped the Ramblers end a 16-year NCAA Tournament drought during his All-America senior season, died Friday.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 3 May 2026
  • Game 7 is where tall tales begin and dreams die.
    John Romano, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 May 2026
Verb
  • There is still work to do; however, current congressional leadership has moved us in the right direction.
    Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2026
  • Before the vote, loud boos resounded as House Republicans arrived and moved through a crowd of protesters from the elevator to the House chamber.
    Terry Collins, USA Today, 8 May 2026
Verb
  • Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier confirmed Friday that a criminal probe is underway into the deaths of sloths at Sloth World, a planned International Drive attraction that will not open after animals languished and perished in warehouses owned by the company in Orlando.
    Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 May 2026
  • Two people who perished in a fatal Bronx blaze didn’t stand a chance after their neighbors left a door open that allowed the fire to quickly spread, officials said Friday.
    Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • These were all things the Storm should have been celebrating afterward, but yet, for the second week in a row, the coaches and players will be headed back to the film room to figure out what went wrong.
    Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 May 2026
  • Player of the Week Senior pitcher Jaelynn Anthony goes 4-for-5 for Oswego with three homers, a double and seven RBIs in 14-6 win over Minooka.
    Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026
Verb
  • Right-hander Roki Sasaki strengthened his case Saturday with a quality start, despite some hiccups, as the Dodgers fell 3-2 to the Cardinals, extending their losing streak to four games.
    Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2026
  • Jupiter Jupiter, as darkness falls, will be roughly one-third up from the western horizon to the point directly overhead.
    Joe Rao, Space.com, 2 May 2026
Verb
  • At the lone practice open to the media, Watson led the quarterback rotation in most drills, but Monken said the plan called for Sanders to get more reps overall.
    Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 2 May 2026
  • There’s plenty of room to step back and get some perspective.
    Glenn Adamson, Artforum, 2 May 2026
Verb
  • The odds were always bad, and the Dallas Stars succumbed not to math but the better team.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 May 2026
  • Rangel succumbed to his injuries two days later, on December 6.
    Peter D'Abrosca , Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Depart.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/depart. Accessed 8 May. 2026.

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