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 Fox departed Sacramento this February, traded to the San Antonio Spurs in a three-team deal that sent Zach LaVine from the Chicago Bulls to the Kings. Michael McGough, Sacbee.com, 18 Apr. 2025 Preparing to pay Brock Purdy a massive contract forced some key free agents to depart San Francisco, including multiple starters in the secondary. Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Apr. 2025 Southwest Airlines Flight 3006 first departed from the Hobby airport en route to Cabo San Lucas/Los Cabos, Mexico. Charna Flam, People.com, 17 Apr. 2025 Staub returned for the show's second season, but departed thereafter. Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 16 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for depart
Recent Examples of Synonyms for depart
Verb
  • More drastically, the United States could exit the World Bank entirely, as called for by Project 2025.
    Ngaire Woods, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
  • As the two fought, another suspect exited a car and joined in the confrontation, deputies said.
    Daniella Segura, Sacbee.com, 22 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The funeral for Pope Francis, who died Monday, will take place Saturday at 4 a.m. ET in St. Peter's Square in Vatican City.
    Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
  • The first pope from Latin America died on Monday, April 21 at 88.
    Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 22 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • In recent decades, the agency has continued boring tunnels where needed to move water.
    Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Martinez moves well enough laterally to make defenders miss and bounce outside.
    Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • More than 1,500 passengers and crew perished; only around 710 of those on board survived.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 10 Apr. 2025
  • At least 70 whales have perished since the start of the year in the shallow lagoons of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula where the animals gather to calf, nurse and breed.
    Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • After the Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards poked the proverbial bear, Doncic turned his game up a notch, scoring 31 points to go with 12 rebounds and nine assists (on a perfect 11-for-11 from the free-throw line) to give the Lakers a 94-85 victory in Game 2, evening the series.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Louisiana Louisiana’s law went into effect Jan. 1 requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote, but the state hasn't issued guidance on what documentation residents need.
    Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • And bond market yields fall by about 150 basis points (1.5 percentage points).11 The Fed Fed Chair Powell says the Fed is waiting for the softening survey data to translate into hard data before moving toward lower interest rates.
    Robert Barone, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • And just how big a hit do 401(k)s take when markets fall?
    Dr. Ronald Premuroso, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Otherwise, a ton of talented players got to achieve their dreams this weekend.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Apr. 2025
  • After the performances are over and this year's inductees are revealed, viewers will get the chance to vote for their favorite contestants before eliminations.
    Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • After Norman disappeared, Zizz borrowed a friend's vehicle and left the area.
    Saleen Martin, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
  • If gate donations continue to decline, street festivals will continue to shrink or simply disappear.
    Pamela Maass, Chicago Tribune, 18 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Depart.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/depart. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

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