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
Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 22 Aug. 2025
After Henry leaves, Grant tasks Arch with watching Henry more closely.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 22 Aug. 2025
ProPublica, 21 Aug. 2025
Many have been on administrative leave since then – paid but not allowed to work – as lawsuits played out.
—Danielle Wallace, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for leave
Verb
Johnson, of Florida, was charged last year for leaving the scene.
—Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 22 Aug. 2025
After Henry leaves, Grant tasks Arch with watching Henry more closely.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 22 Aug. 2025
Noun
The team tracking maternal and infant health outcomes, which helps the public understand how people die in childbirth, has been placed on administrative leave.
—ProPublica, 21 Aug. 2025
Many have been on administrative leave since then – paid but not allowed to work – as lawsuits played out.
—Danielle Wallace, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for leave
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leave
Verb
-
The second leg of the last-16 tie between Argentine side Independiente and Universidad de Chile in Buenos Aires was abandoned in the 48th minute due to security concerns after rival fans clashed in the stands.—
Colin Millar,
New York Times,
21 Aug. 2025
-
Congress could abandon its complex benefit formulas in favor of a flat monthly check, the same amount for everyone: say, around $1,800.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Customers are inherently sticky, but Tenev knows that the old giants of the financial world, including Fidelity, Schwab and Merrill Lynch, are vulnerable as trillions in Boomer assets are bequeathed to their digital-native offspring.—
Nina Bambysheva,
Forbes.com,
29 July 2025
-
Epstein also bequeathed her $10 million from his estate, though Maxwell has not received those funds because the estate is in probate.—
James Hill,
ABC News,
24 July 2025
Verb
-
Hope Anne, a 1-year-old Labrador retriever Meet Hope Anne — a bouncy, lovable black Lab mix with a heart full of joy and a tail that just won’t quit.—
Trish Stinger,
Kansas City Star,
20 Aug. 2025
-
While quitting a job is sometimes the right answer, circumstances—such as financial obligations, location constraints, or a challenging job market—often make staying the better (or only) option.—
Dorie Clark,
Harvard Business Review,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The non-profit news outlet The City reported the encounter late Wednesday, Aug. 20, a few hours after Winnie Greco allegedly handed an open bag of Herr's sour cream and onion rippled potato chips to journalist Katie Honan following a Harlem campaign event.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
22 Aug. 2025
-
Wash hands thoroughly after handling reptiles, and change clothes before picking up a child.—
John Drake,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica Genocide, when Serb forces systematically slaughtered over 8,000 Bosnian Muslims and dumped their bodies into mass graves.—
Seema Jilani
August 29,
Literary Hub,
29 Aug. 2025
-
Their deleterious impact creates conditions that favor further wildfires by dumping greenhouse gases (GHG) into the atmosphere which contributes to more warming.—
Suwanna Gauntlett Upjohn,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
With the verbal exchanges seemingly exhausted, the two opponents will now let their actions speak loudly in the ring in Paris.—
Matthew Couden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Aug. 2025
-
The appearance by one of the most in-demand artists in music, with his latest LP Snipe Hunter basking in attention from fans and critics alike, let Keen see his goal of a major benefit show to a successful conclusion.—
Josh Crutchmer,
Rolling Stone,
30 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Montenegro Montenegro is a great place to vacation, live in, or retire to.—
Kathleen Peddicord,
Forbes.com,
23 Aug. 2025
-
His work as The Arizona Republic’s consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations.—
Michael Salerno,
AZCentral.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Used with the permission of the publisher, Ig Publishing.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Aug. 2025
-
Texas passed an artificial intelligence law in June that similarly outlaws the collection of biometric data without permission.—
Bobby Allyn,
NPR,
28 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Leave.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leave. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share