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 Fox departed Sacramento this February, traded to the San Antonio Spurs in a three-team deal that sent Zach LaVine from the Chicago Bulls to the Kings. Michael McGough, Sacbee.com, 18 Apr. 2025 Preparing to pay Brock Purdy a massive contract forced some key free agents to depart San Francisco, including multiple starters in the secondary. Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Apr. 2025 Southwest Airlines Flight 3006 first departed from the Hobby airport en route to Cabo San Lucas/Los Cabos, Mexico. Charna Flam, People.com, 17 Apr. 2025 Staub returned for the show's second season, but departed thereafter. Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 16 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for depart
Recent Examples of Synonyms for depart
Verb
  • Smith then exited his vehicle, smoking a cigarette, and was immediately tased by one of the deputies.
    Chris Spargo, People.com, 22 Apr. 2025
  • As the two fought, another suspect exited a car and joined in the confrontation, deputies said.
    Daniella Segura, Sacbee.com, 22 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The funeral for Pope Francis, who died Monday, will take place Saturday at 4 a.m. ET in St. Peter's Square in Vatican City.
    Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
  • The first pope from Latin America died on Monday, April 21 at 88.
    Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 22 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • According to Victoria Dittmar of Insight Crime, a think tank that studies organized crime in the Americas, production continues by other Sinaloa cartel factions, and has since moved into neighboring states like Sonora and Baja California, where cooks operate under the oversight of the cartel.
    Jason Motlagh, Rolling Stone, 27 Apr. 2025
  • In recent decades, the agency has continued boring tunnels where needed to move water.
    Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • How kids get left in hot cars The news that a child has perished in a hot car usually sends shockwaves through the local community and can make national headlines.
    Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025
  • The gaping cut across the bow, showing the boiler room where the engineers perished, is an astonishing sight in the film.
    Sean Kingsley, HollywoodReporter, 11 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • And then, all of the sudden, the girlfriend’s gone.
    Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Louisiana Louisiana’s law went into effect Jan. 1 requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote, but the state hasn't issued guidance on what documentation residents need.
    Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Rising bond yields Yields on 10-year Treasury bonds typically fall – and their prices rise - as investors flee stocks for the safe haven of Treasuries during economic slowdowns.
    Paul Davidson, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Sales are falling partly due to rising competition from other automakers’ EV offerings, especially in China.
    Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • After the performances are over and this year's inductees are revealed, viewers will get the chance to vote for their favorite contestants before eliminations.
    Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Otherwise, a ton of talented players got to achieve their dreams this weekend.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Remove yourself from the critical path, and the fear disappears.
    Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Some bumblebee populations have been disappearing from the southern parts of their geographic range and have been found in cooler regions to the north and in more mountainous areas.
    Courtney McGinnis, The Conversation, 30 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Depart.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/depart. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

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