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 Shortages were reported at control towers near Washington, DC, and Denver, facilities that control planes arriving or departing at Newark and Orlando, along with parts of centers that control airspace based in New Mexico and California. Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025 In 2024, high-profile exits at firms like Lamb Weston and Kohl’s occurred amid mounting pressure, while at Boeing, Nike, Stellantis, and Hertz, CEOs departed before an active campaign ever materialized. Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2025 During August, family members of the deceased would leave offerings of tools, food, and water on graves and elaborate altars to aid their dearly departed along their unearthly travels. Sarah Buder, AFAR Media, 8 Oct. 2025 The 15-member crew will depart from Majuro in the Marshall Islands on November 4. Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for depart
Recent Examples of Synonyms for depart
Verb
  • The Mean Girls star exited the series in 2006, leaving Poehler and the Late Night host with two additional years together before Poehler left in 2008.
    McKinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 12 Oct. 2025
  • Harrison exited in the second quarter after hitting his head on the turf after catching a 21-yard pass from Jacoby Brissett.
    Jayna Bardahl, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Coulson, a Miami lawyer, died unexpectedly last month.
    Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2025
  • Which is interesting, given that Lillard died in the first film.
    Bethy Squires, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • With that goal, Messi moved into first place in the Golden Boot race, one goal ahead of Denis Bouanga of Los Angeles FC, who is away on national team duty with Gabon.
    Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2025
  • If you are trapped by moving water, move to the highest possible point and call 911 if possible.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 12 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The role of Doug McBride, who was played byJason Graham, perished in a car crash.
    Lynette Rice, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Almost all 19 of the people who died in the blaze perished in the neighborhood.
    Chiara Eisner, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Milwaukee rewarded him with a two-year, $11 million contract in July, and, with Damian Lillard gone, Porter is now the point guard, which was confirmed by Doc Rivers a few weeks ago.
    Stan Son, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • They Chiefs needed just five plays to go 97 yards for the TD.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Try to find a place that will block blowing or falling debris.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 12 Oct. 2025
  • However, compared to his older stepbrothers, his net worth falls a little bit short.
    StyleCaster Editors, StyleCaster, 12 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Their speed means the drones can often get to a crime scene faster than an officer, the chief said.
    Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 13 Oct. 2025
  • But getting there may have been the easy part.
    Max Tani, semafor.com, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • This work is especially critical there, as the region has experienced a dramatic decline, with some studies estimating that over 85% of its historic oyster reefs have disappeared.
    Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Framed by her Pepto-pink hair — another Moisturizer-era change — Teasdale bodyrolls and thrashes around, singing so wildly that the edges of her mouth seem to disappear.
    Sophie Williams, Billboard, 10 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Depart.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/depart. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on depart

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