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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to dump
to end a usually intimate relationship with
is there ever a good way to leave a lover?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in to let
to give permission to
aw, leave him come
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in departure
the act of leaving a place
the party was clearly dying down, and it was time to take our leave
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 leave
Nick Bowlin, ProPublica, 18 May 2026
Connecticut is a part of a deregulated regional electrical grid, and Nicola noted that electricity is bought and sold on the open market, leaving the risks of building new plants to private companies.
—Krisztian Elcsics, Hartford Courant, 12 May 2026
David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 17 May 2026
This problem lessens as more roots grow and the leaves thicken up a little more.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for leave
Verb
After leaving Darlene Lane, the family moved four times in four months — at times paying their mortgage and rent simultaneously.
—Nick Bowlin, ProPublica, 18 May 2026
Connecticut is a part of a deregulated regional electrical grid, and Nicola noted that electricity is bought and sold on the open market, leaving the risks of building new plants to private companies.
—Krisztian Elcsics, Hartford Courant, 12 May 2026
Noun
Wet the foliage first so that the baking soda sticks to the leaves.
—David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 17 May 2026
This problem lessens as more roots grow and the leaves thicken up a little more.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for leave
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leave
Verb
-
Kara Young and Mallori Johnson are absolutely electric as twin sisters who set out to find the estranged, abusive father who abandoned them after leaving them and their mother horribly scarred in a fire.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
22 May 2026
-
This is the legacy Healy wanted to leave, a treasure that is too rich for Central Florida to abandon.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
The Cubs bequeathing the dubious distinction of the sport’s longest title drought to Cleveland.—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
-
One version of the nation’s history anchors itself in the efforts to navigate those tempests, to better the imperfect tools bequeathed to us by imperfect men.—
Jelani Cobb,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
The thesis of Brady’s commencement, though, was battling through adversity and never quitting, and the best way for Brady to tell his motivational message was by telling the story of his Super Bowl LI comeback against the Atlanta Falcons.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
16 May 2026
-
These are intended to offer an appealing alternative smoking cessation product for adults who wish to quit.—
Joshua P. Cohen,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Even Manny has to hand it to him, but Hartman proves he's matured and insists that saving the day was a team effort.—
Britt Hayes,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 May 2026
-
The fact that this racist thug has been handed policing power by Netanyahu says more about the state of Israel’s democracy and political values—and in particular about the prime minister’s values—than many Israelis might like to admit.—
Avi Issacharoff,
The Atlantic,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
Smaller ski resorts around the state were made to trust Mother Nature’s timing more than ever, stretching out their operating days as far as possible with the snow dumped by sporadic storms.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
22 May 2026
-
The premiere episode features an enticing premise, where Josh gets dumped for sleeping too long post-hibernation.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
The high ceilings and white walls let the whole space feel sunlit.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 May 2026
-
Braun told these hatchlings that they were too wedded to script, and needed to learn how to let sound tell the story.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
The traditional start of summer vacation season — Memorial Day — is little more than a week away.—
Charles Seabrook,
AJC.com,
16 May 2026
-
Even Dua Lipa—arguably the reigning queen of vacation dressing—gave her stamp of approval, posting an Instagram photo wearing the brand’s Alex sunglasses in tortoise.—
Lauren Fisher,
Footwear News,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
The vessel had been stranded off its intended final destination, Cape Verde in West Africa, after authorities denied it permission to dock there.—
Patrick Smith,
NBC news,
18 May 2026
-
Would doctors have withheld a relatively minor procedure that would prevent imminent death of a young adult with (potentially) a full life ahead because the proxy refused to give permission?—
Adam W. Gaffney,
STAT,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leave.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leave. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
