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 Boeing 737-800 aircraft originally departed Colorado Springs Airport at 4:37 p.m., per FlightAware, and was headed to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, per the FAA statement. Charna Flam, People.com, 14 Mar. 2025 Now, the beloved brand is entering a new phase: departing from the L’Oréal umbrella to be independently-owned once again. Larry Stansbury, Essence, 4 Mar. 2025 The grant conveys each school’s television rights to the conference through 2035-36, and FSU’s counsel estimated that if the grant and exit fee were strictly enforced, departing the league would cost the school more than $600 million. David Teel, Orlando Sentinel, 3 Mar. 2025 The United Airlines jet was forced to make an emergency landing at Waco Regional Airport in Waco, Texas, due to the turbulence after departing from Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri on Sunday, March 2, local outlets 25 News and Springfield News-Leader reported. Escher Walcott, People.com, 3 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for depart
Recent Examples of Synonyms for depart
Verb
  • The suspect allegedly drove a black Nissan at a high rate of speed while exiting the highway before losing control of the vehicle and hitting a tree.
    Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Eyes on Peraza Oswald Peraza, a third base and bench option, is okay after exiting Tuesday’s game against the Red Sox early.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 18 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Deaths were reported in Kansas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Arkansas, Texas, Alabama and Missouri, where three people died Friday when an EF-3 tornado with peak winds of 140 mph hit.
    Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2025
  • The weather changed with the seasons; crops were planted and harvested; festivals were celebrated; people were born, aged and died, all predictably.
    James Byrne, The Conversation, 17 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • But the Supreme Court is increasingly skeptical of regulatory power and curbed that authority in June 2024, ruling against the Biden administration and moving the interpretation of laws back squarely toward the courts.
    Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2025
  • The younger Reza grew increasingly involved in the family business as Alexandre’s illness progressed and took it over in 2020, moving operations to New York City.
    Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 22 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • In turning the lens on Cromwell, whose role is much less conspicuous in history, Straughan offers a broader portrait of the world around King Henry, one that lived, thrived and perished by his orders.
    Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Although there was no urgency this time—the men at the summit had already perished—Vin left her in a leaky tent on the glacier at the base camp, alone, with only the wind and heavy snow for company.
    Maya Silver, Outside Online, 16 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Humans generate memories during their very first months of life, but where do those memories go?
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Ryan Foscolo went 3-for-4 with 2 runs and an RBI for Hagerty (14-2), while Stephen Chucka had a triple, double and RBI and Brandon Levy and Nathaniel Rhodes each added doubles and an RBI.
    Steve Gorches, Orlando Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Still, relative humidity values are expected to fall below 25 percent outside of the mountains and around 25 percent in the mountain valleys, with higher values in the higher elevations.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 23 Mar. 2025
  • At the same time, the idea of a groundshare with Merseyside rivals Everton was mooted, but with both sets of supporters against the proposal, this fell flat.
    Tom Burrows, The Athletic, 23 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The whole Rasta thing really got me out of the mindset of doing drugs and more into, like, health.
    Corey Seymour, Vogue, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Airports worldwide got a similar response last July, when a software glitch from cybersecurity company Crowdstrike caused a global IT outage that grounded thousands of flights worldwide.
    Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • South Korean family mysteriously disappears on drive from Grand Canyon to Las Vegas.
    Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Denise, her sister-in-law and the child had stopped inside a butcher shop when James disappeared.
    KC Baker, People.com, 22 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Depart.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/depart. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.

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