1
as in to abandon
to cause to remain behind
you can leave your lunch in the refrigerator while we're outside starry-eyed lovers who promise never to leave one another
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2
3
as in to quit
to give up (a job or office)
he left his job in the city and moved out into the country
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4
as in to hand
to put (something) into the possession or safekeeping of another
why don't you leave your watch with me while you swim?
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5
as in to dump
to end a usually intimate relationship with
is there ever a good way to leave a lover?
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6
as in to let
to give permission to
aw, leave him come
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1
as in vacation
a period during which the usual routine of school or work is suspended
the soldier was on leave for three days before having to report back to base
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2
as in permission
the approval by someone in authority for the doing of something
the editor gave the reporters leave to follow up on their initial investigation of the senator's fund-raising practices
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3
as in departure
the act of leaving a place
the party was clearly dying down, and it was time to take our leave
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of leave
Kiana Murden, Vogue, 19 Dec. 2024
Cavuto decided to leave on his own, declining an offer to renew his contract despite requests from Fox News to stay on board, according to a Mediaite report.
—Asher Notheis, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 19 Dec. 2024
Thessaly La Force, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Dec. 2024
One of the most important steps in preparing a Caesar salad is removing the outer dark green leaves of lettuce and chopping off the floppy dark green tops of what’s left.
—Carolynn Carreño, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for leave 
Verb
According to the brand, this binds to dirt, makeup, sunscreen, and sebum to easily wipe it away—leaving skin soft and conditioned.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 19 Dec. 2024
Cavuto decided to leave on his own, declining an offer to renew his contract despite requests from Fox News to stay on board, according to a Mediaite report.
—Asher Notheis, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 19 Dec. 2024
Noun
The leaves must be smashed and not chopped for fear the blade of a knife will over-oxidize them.
—Thessaly La Force, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Dec. 2024
One of the most important steps in preparing a Caesar salad is removing the outer dark green leaves of lettuce and chopping off the floppy dark green tops of what’s left.
—Carolynn Carreño, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for leave
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leave
Verb
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The Claridge Hotel’s former casino sits abandoned as well.Jonathan Rowe, SPIN, 18 Dec. 2024
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If the department’s predictions are correct, the U.S. would be essentially abandoning any pretense of trying to limit climate change.Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 18 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The Romans christened it Insula Minor, Lesser Island, as if forever bequeathing it plain-Jane status next to Ibiza and Mallorca, its alluring Balearic sisters.Stephanie Rafanelli, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 May 2023
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The home was bequeathed to the Currier Museum of Art and is now available for tours.Rachel Davies, Architectural Digest, 29 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Chrystia Freeland quit on Monday after Trudeau offered her a lesser position.David Ljunggren, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024
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After 10 years as a Ram and in the NFL, Donald called his career quits this past offseason.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
Verb
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In the ’90s, Hollywood might have handed him its checkbook.Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024
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And the jury agreed, handing her a 7-1-0 win, with only Kyle voting otherwise, for Sam.Dalton Ross, EW.com, 19 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The sisters throw the near-dead Ian into the car trunk to dump his body into the dark sea off a nearby cliff.Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 25 Dec. 2024
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Advertisement Politics Biden commutes roughly 1,500 sentences and pardons 39 people in biggest single-day act of clemency Dec. 12, 2024 The pair drove to the New Melones reservoir near Yosemite to dump the bodies.Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Spread, let sit, and clean off with warm water and a soft cloth.Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 16 Dec. 2024
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Staying connected with the S6’s smart features lets users keep themselves informed throughout the day with notifications and alerts for things like calls, messages and apps.Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
Noun
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This holiday season, the Dunn family is leaving their hometown and going on a vacation.Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 20 Dec. 2024
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But early 2025 is a good time to start planning next year's trips, including for spring breaks and summer vacations.CBS News, CBS News, 20 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Set boundaries early on, like giving yourself permission to skip the chaos for a cup of hot cocoa.Valerie Mesa, People.com, 24 Dec. 2024
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People living in the country without legal permission paid more than $1.2 billion in taxes, including $476.3 million in state and local taxes, and $4.3 billion in total spending power in 2022, according to the American Immigration Council.Mennatalla Ibrahim, Baltimore Sun, 24 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Leave.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leave. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
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