rent 1 of 2

Definition of rentnext
1
as in tear
a long deep cut getting her skirt caught on a nail resulted in a four-inch rent that she couldn't possibly repair

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2

rent

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to lease
to give the possession and use of (something) in return for periodic payment we rented the apartment to a college student for $500 a month

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
as in to hire
to take or get the temporary use of (something) for a set sum will need to rent a car while we're in Europe

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word rent different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of rent are charter, hire, lease, and let. While all these words mean "to engage or grant for use at a price," rent stresses the payment of money for the full use of property and may imply either hiring or letting.

instead of buying a house, they decided to rent
will not rent to families with children

Where would charter be a reasonable alternative to rent?

The words charter and rent can be used in similar contexts, but charter applies to the hiring or letting of a vehicle usually for exclusive use.

charter a bus to go to the game

How are the words hire and let related as synonyms of rent?

Both hire and let, strictly speaking, are complementary terms, hire implying the act of engaging or taking for use and let the granting of use.

we hired a car for the summer
decided to let the cottage to a young couple

When would lease be a good substitute for rent?

The meanings of lease and rent largely overlap; however, lease strictly implies a letting under the terms of a contract but is often applied to hiring on a lease.

the diplomat leased an apartment for a year

How is the word rent different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of rent are charter, hire, lease, and let. While all these words mean "to engage or grant for use at a price," rent stresses the payment of money for the full use of property and may imply either hiring or letting.

instead of buying a house, they decided to rent
will not rent to families with children

Where would charter be a reasonable alternative to rent?

The words charter and rent can be used in similar contexts, but charter applies to the hiring or letting of a vehicle usually for exclusive use.

charter a bus to go to the game

How are the words hire and let related as synonyms of rent?

Both hire and let, strictly speaking, are complementary terms, hire implying the act of engaging or taking for use and let the granting of use.

we hired a car for the summer
decided to let the cottage to a young couple

When would lease be a good substitute for rent?

The meanings of lease and rent largely overlap; however, lease strictly implies a letting under the terms of a contract but is often applied to hiring on a lease.

the diplomat leased an apartment for a year

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 rent
Noun
Landlords in unincorporated communities across the county pay an 8% transient occupancy tax on rent. Hannah Elsmore, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026 The business is not financially feasible, particularly with high rents in Denver. Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
Authorities later learned the party house had been rented by an 18-year-old, according to the New York Post. Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 30 Mar. 2026 Investigators used surveillance footage from Lushin’s home and license plate reading cameras to identify a vehicle police say Brown rented from the Indianapolis International Airport. Jake Allen, IndyStar, 30 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rent
Noun
  • Both women occasionally smiled through their tears, telegraphing poise and control more than an overflowing inner joy.
    Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Many in the courtroom, including members of Corder’s family, could be seen attempting to hold back tears.
    Chris Ramirez, jsonline.com, 1 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The gender gap narrowed slightly in recent years but widened again in 2025, according to an analysis by the Economic Policy Institute.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Another admitted to brushing crumbs into the gap between the stove and counter as a child—only to be caught and made to pull the appliance out and deep-clean the entire area.
    Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • In the documents, the franchise said there were 10 restaurants whose leases the company planned to reject.
    Saleen Martin, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
  • It’s now owned by the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency who will lease the spot.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The relationship healed after Howard was hired as Michigan’s basketball coach in 2019.
    Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
  • The invader is a skillful art restorer, Lori Butler (Michaela Coel), who’s been hired by Julian’s greedy children, Barnaby (James Corden) and Sallie (Jessica Gunning), to work, or pose, as their father’s new assistant.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • True to Ortiz's design sensibilities, the dress included a small peekaboo cut-out and a high center slit.
    Katherine J Igoe, InStyle, 3 Apr. 2026
  • The short video shows the back of a plane seat during a JetBlue flight, before zooming in on a narrow slit opening located below the television screen, prompting curiosity and confusion from the passenger.
    Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Just two weeks ago, Gary Woodland decided ot shared his struggles with post traumatic stress disorder, brought on after a September 2023 surgery, which involved a baseball-sized hole cut from the side of his head, to remove a brain lesion.
    Andrew McCarty, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Canales admits the loss of Robinson leaves a hole in the defensive line rotation.
    Mike Kaye March 30, Charlotte Observer, 30 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • To hear the full episode, subscribe through iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app (include the forward slashes when searching).
    Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 2 Apr. 2026
  • His victim was taken to Montefiore Medical Center where his slash wound was treated.
    Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • As fans stood for the opening run, a sprawling 23-piece backing ensemble — including six band members, eight backing vocalists plus returning Church muse Joanna Cotten, and a mini-orchestra with four horns and four strings — some swayed.
    Theoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 6 Apr. 2026
  • Sunday saw the Woo Sox finish off a sweep of the week by taking both games of a series-concluding doubleheader, winning the opening game 4-2 before taking the nightcap 11-9 in 10 innings.
    Staff Report, Twin Cities, 6 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Rent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rent. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.

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