DEPART Synonyms: 128 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

depart

verb

di-ˈpärt

Definition of depart

as in to exit

to leave a place often for another I'll sing one more song before I depart

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to die

to stop living a special tribute for those members of the motion picture academy who have departed over the past year

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 International rescue teams, quietly acknowledging the possibility that no more victims would be found alive after 12 days under the rubble, are preparing to depart. — Fernanda Pesce, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026 Kevin Gausman, an All-Star with San Francisco in 2021, started on Monday, which will be his second appearance at Oracle Park since departing in free agency. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 7 July 2026 The Majestic Maersk container ship will sail the Gemini Cooperation’s joint AE15/SE3 service via the trans-Suez Canal route, already having departed from Qingdao on June 8. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 6 July 2026 According to the Associated Press, Kirk’s widow, Erika, and parents were in attendance but departed the courtroom as former Utah Valley University police officer Chris Bagley began testifying about Kirk’s arrival on campus the day he was killed. — Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for depart

Recent Examples of Synonyms for depart

Verb

Twenty-seven people were inside the building, two of whom got stuck before ultimately freeing themselves and exiting the building.

— Drew Pittock, USA Today, 7 July 2026
And star Christian Pulisic exited later after a quiet game, and tournament.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 7 July 2026

Definition of exit

Verb

Ramos’ two daughters –– Darling Antonella, seven, and Dulce María, two –– were staying with their grandparents and great-grandparents, who also died in the earthquakes.

— Isa Soares, CNN Money, 1 July 2026
It was created in 2015 to honor the life and legacy of former ESPN broadcaster Stuart Scott, who died due to cancer earlier that year.

— Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 1 July 2026

Definition of die

Verb

While the crown prince managed to free himself from the dragon before sinking, Triarchy crossbowmen peppered him from a nearby ship, and both dragon and rider perished.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
And that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.

— Eric Mack, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2026

Definition of perish

Verb

News of his death – one example of the political violence roiling America in recent years – quickly went global, with graphic videos flooding social media and politicians on both sides of the aisle swiftly condemning the killing.

— Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
Leo Jimenez also went deep for the Marlins, who set a franchise record with 12 homers for a three-game series.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026

Definition of go

Verb

One boy, 12, succumbed to the heat and passed out, with EMS medics and police rushing to help him, according to PIX 11.

— Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 4 July 2026
On Thursday at Wimbledon, a couple of players were unable to do so, succumbing to Nadal’s Law.

— Ava Wallace, New York Times, 2 July 2026

Definition of succumb

Browse Nearby Words

deodorizing

depart

departed

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

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

Copy Citation

Synonyms of depart

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on depart

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

gambol

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes