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 next

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 Niledutch Lion is expected to depart from India’s Mundra Port on April 7 and is scheduled to arrive at Qasim on April 9. —

Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 1 Apr. 2026 One of the bigger behind-the-scenes developments this quarter was Sam Zimmerman departing Shudder for Blumhouse. —

Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 1 Apr. 2026 Lappen, 54, is the second high-profile behavioral health official to depart in the past year. —

Eva Wen, jsonline.com, 1 Apr. 2026 But while Americans bear the cost of the war — as well as the ongoing DHS shutdown — Congress has departed Washington for a two-week recess. —

Josh Feldman, NBC news, 1 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for depart

Recent Examples of Synonyms for depart

Verb

Saks Global is one step closer to exiting bankruptcy.

— Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 2 Apr. 2026
Main Street owned roughly 15 channels, but at one point aired 30 MLB, NHL and NBA teams after exiting bankruptcy.

— Lillian Rizzo, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2026

Definition of exit

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 5 Apr. 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

verdant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Are You Misusing These 10 Common Words?

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

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

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

Popular in Wordplay

12 Words for Signs of Spring

The Opposite of Déjà Vu

The Words of the Week - Apr. 3

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?

17 Words for Dog Breeds

Popular

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

12 Words for Signs of Spring

The Opposite of Déjà Vu

Games & Quizzes