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 Noem departed Washington for El Salvador Wednesday morning on a three-day trip to Central America, South America, and Mexico. Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 26 Mar. 2025 Piers Morgan presided over a stormy encounter on his chat show, before one guest departed abruptly. Caroline Frost, Deadline, 15 Mar. 2025 Marine Force one then departed for Joint Base Andrews. Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 15 Mar. 2025 The Boeing 737-800 departed Colorado Springs Airport and was headed to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for depart
Recent Examples of Synonyms for depart
Verb
  • While stocks may continue their short-term celebration, the long-term sustainability of this rally is being undermined by something few are talking about: a major foreign holder of U.S. debt may be exiting the market in protest.
    Joel Shulman, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Wong remained in the game to finish the inning but soon exited.
    Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Iconoclastic critic, art historian, and photographer Max Kozloff, who served as Artforum’s executive editor in the 1970s before turning to his own artistic practice, died on April 6.
    News Desk, Artforum, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The saxophonist in his band also died, according to manager Enrique Paulino.
    Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Eventually any discourse about his low batting average and moving him in the lineup evaporated as Judge finished with a .322 average, 58 homers and 144 RBIS, barely missing out on matching Mickey Mantle in the Triple Crown department.
    Larry Fleisher, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Life Time is moving forward on plans to expand into Idaho.
    Rose Evans, Idaho Statesman, 3 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • In 2024, the agency launched its Tokyo Prison Fire Project, with a goal of identifying the American service members who perished in the 1945 blaze.
    Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Apr. 2025
  • The veterans slowly walked to the epitaph with the help of service members to pay tribute to their fellow Marines and sailors who perished there.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The freshman went 10-4-1 with a .933 save percentage and a 2.01 goals against average on the season, and was named to the Hockey East All-Rookie team.
    Kels Dayton, Hartford Courant, 1 Apr. 2025
  • George Washington, goes the fairy tale about chopping the cherry tree, couldn’t tell a lie.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 1 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • However, that fight fell apart in early March, when a hand injury forced Whyte from the card.
    Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • After an electrical malfunction, Neo had fallen over backward — fainting dead away.
    Cade Metz, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • This was Spoelstra’s team playing just eight when the game was in the balance and getting the best from all eight, including a season-high19 points from Kyle Anderson and 16 points from Pelle Larsson.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2025
  • There are many people who are not getting social service programs, especially people with disabilities.
    Allison Pecorin, ABC News, 3 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The case was the first of dozens of pending lawsuits to reach trial in Louisiana against the world’s leading oil companies for their role in accelerating land loss along the state’s rapidly disappearing coast.
    Jack Brook, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Legal experts have said the inadvertent sharing of national defense information with The Atlantic reported added to the group would likely violate the Espionage Act, while the chat’s disappearing message function would also run afoul of public records laws.
    Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 5 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Depart.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/depart. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.

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