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 The list of departures is topped by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt and deputy chief of staff James Blair, who departed in April. — Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 31 Aug. 2026 Colleges put limits on the right of students and teachers to express points of view that departed from this new apparent consensus. — Charles Finch, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026 Sowah heads overseas Valkyries developmental player Miela Sowah will join Team Australia in the World Cup next week, becoming the fourth Valkyries player to depart for the tournament. — Marisa Ingemi, Mercury News, 28 Aug. 2026 The incident occurred as Envoy Air flight 3742, an Embraer E-170 headed to Pensacola, Florida, departed Reagan National Airport. — Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for depart

Recent Examples of Synonyms for depart

Verb

After exiting brick-and-mortar retail at Ulta seven years ago, Laura Geller is doubling back — and this time, wants to do it right.

— Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 31 Aug. 2026
Drivers headed east can exit at Northwest 17th Avenue, continue south across Northwest Seventh Street and turn left at Southwest First Street.

— Amaia Gavica, Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of exit

Verb

The Moon in Pisces moves through your 6th House of Work, Health, and Daily Routines while making an awkward angle to Venus in Libra and your 1st House of Self.

— Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Aug. 2026
Acceptance moves you out of frustration and into a place of proactivity.

— R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of move

Verb

Even near the end of an August in which the Jays went 17-11, the team posted a near-average wRC+ (101 entering Sunday).

— Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
In fact, the breakeven rate of employment growth, or the number of net new jobs needed each month to keep the unemployment rate steady, actually went slightly negative during the summer and fall of 2025.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of go

Verb

The continent's sweltering summer has meanwhile boosted demand for air conditioning and other energy-hungry appliances at a time when demand for gas, widely used for Europe's heating and cooking needs, naturally falls.

— Jenni Reid, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
The Oscar winner paired a leopard-print Givenchy fall 2026 dress and the fashion house’s modern take on T-strap high heels.

— Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of fall

Verb

Police had initially tried to pull over Shelton's vehicle, a 2006 Honda Civic, near Rodney Parham Road and Mississippi Street, but the vehicle fled through several streets and got away, Little Rock police said in a news release.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Aug. 2026
The service got its name from the original Mechanical Turk, an 18th century chess-playing robot that was actually controlled by a human chess master.

— Annie Palmer, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of get

Verb

The Liberty’s deficit stayed in double figures while succumbing to the pressure of Golden State’s small lineups.

— Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 28 Aug. 2026
Wolf succumbs to Shura, a demonic force in the game’s mythology that possesses those who give in to bloodlust.

— Aman Kumar, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of succumb

Browse Nearby Words

deodorizing

depart

departed

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“Depart.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/depart. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of depart

verb

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