lease 1 of 2

1
as in to rent
to give the possession and use of (something) in return for periodic payment the landlord was willing to lease the apartment for less than we had expected

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to hire
to take or get the temporary use of (something) for a set sum I couldn't afford to buy a car outright, so I decided to lease one instead

Synonyms & Similar Words

lease

2 of 2

noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word lease different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of lease are charter, hire, let, and rent. While all these words mean "to engage or grant for use at a price," lease strictly implies a letting under the terms of a contract but is often applied to hiring on a lease.

the diplomat leased an apartment for a year

When would charter be a good substitute for lease?

In some situations, the words charter and lease are roughly equivalent. However, charter applies to the hiring or letting of a vehicle usually for exclusive use.

charter a bus to go to the game

How are the words hire and let related as synonyms of lease?

Both hire and let, strictly speaking, are complementary terms, hire implying the act of engaging or taking for use and let the granting of use.

we hired a car for the summer
decided to let the cottage to a young couple

In what contexts can rent take the place of lease?

Although the words rent and lease have much in common, rent stresses the payment of money for the full use of property and may imply either hiring or letting.

instead of buying a house, they decided to rent
will not rent to families with children

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 lease
Verb
Until 2023, the state offered up to $7,500 to purchase or lease electric, fuel cell and plug-in hybrid vehicles. David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 8 July 2025 Glover, 24, had just broken her lease and was getting a hotel for herself and her two kids on March 8, 2024. Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 7 July 2025
Noun
The process begins with the notice of availability, which alerts affordable housing developers registered with the state that the city intends to sell or lease its property. Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 July 2025 The first units at Mural Brownsburg, at the intersection of U.S. 136 and Northfield Drive, will start leasing in October. Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for lease
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lease
Verb
  • Lori also served as the executive director at the North Idaho Housing Coalition, a nonprofit organization that renovated homes to rent or sell to low-income families.
    Caroline Blair, People.com, 6 July 2025
  • However, for convenience and comfort, your best bet is to rent a car.
    Mae Hamilton, Travel + Leisure, 5 July 2025
Verb
  • With less than a month before school begins, Gary Community School Corp. staffers made one thing clear during Thursday’s school board meeting – the district is hiring.
    Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2025
  • The Sisters of Bon Secours – the nuns who ran the home from 1925 to 1961 – hired a consulting company that denied a mass grave altogether, saying there was no evidence children had been buried there.
    Kara Fox, CNN Money, 13 July 2025
Noun
  • While California’s property and sales and excise taxes rank near the middle of the country, its individual income tax burden is second only to New York.
    David Lightman July 7, Sacbee.com, 7 July 2025
  • Local stakeholders, include Lauren Bailey, the co-founder and CEO of Upward Projects, the restaurant group that created Postino, Federal Pizza and other concepts, whose office is located in one of the rotunda buildings on the property.
    Corina Vanek, AZCentral.com, 7 July 2025
Noun
  • The Senate Bill shifts the OZ 2.0 designation window to July 1, 2026, removing the $10,000 carve-out proposed by the House and the 33 percent requirement definition of eligible tracts.
    Oludolapo Makinde, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • Residents in census tracts where more than 30% of families lived below the federal poverty line had a fentanyl overdose death rate nearly four times that of those in more affluent areas.
    Marcos Magaña, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • Consider requesting professional development budgets for AI training, conference attendance or certification programs.
    Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
  • Advertisement The Crown Prince has been masterful at protecting Saudi Arabia’s development.
    Karen Elliott House, Time, 10 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lease.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lease. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.

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