Definition of departnext

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 The Majestic Maersk container ship will sail the Gemini Cooperation’s joint AE15/SE3 service via the trans-Suez Canal route, already having departed from Qingdao on June 8. Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 6 July 2026 According to the Associated Press, Kirk’s widow, Erika, and parents were in attendance but departed the courtroom as former Utah Valley University police officer Chris Bagley began testifying about Kirk’s arrival on campus the day he was killed. Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026 Chelsea, meanwhile, have seen several academy prospects depart for rival clubs in recent years. David Ornstein, New York Times, 5 July 2026 While the flagship departs, French mine countermeasure and escort vessels will remain in the region. Peter Suciu, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for depart
Recent Examples of Synonyms for depart
Verb
  • Twenty-seven people were inside the building, two of whom got stuck before ultimately freeing themselves and exiting the building.
    Drew Pittock, USA Today, 7 July 2026
  • And star Christian Pulisic exited later after a quiet game, and tournament.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 7 July 2026
Verb
  • That would give the planet more time to drift outward as the dying sun sheds its outer layers into space, potentially avoiding engulfment altogether.
    Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 8 July 2026
  • The obvious gem of the collection is the attention-getting title story, about the Canadian Nobel laureate Alice Munro, who died in 2024 — and whose complex, layered short fiction Aviv admires.
    Julia M. Klein, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
Verb
  • He also was recently retained by the family of a Mississippi 1-year-old who was killed when police fired into a moving car.
    ABC News, ABC News, 11 July 2026
  • Even 6 inches of moving water can pose a serious risk of knocking you off your feet.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 11 July 2026
Verb
  • While the crown prince managed to free himself from the dragon before sinking, Triarchy crossbowmen peppered him from a nearby ship, and both dragon and rider perished.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
  • And that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.
    Eric Mack, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2026
Verb
  • News of his death – one example of the political violence roiling America in recent years – quickly went global, with graphic videos flooding social media and politicians on both sides of the aisle swiftly condemning the killing.
    Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • Leo Jimenez also went deep for the Marlins, who set a franchise record with 12 homers for a three-game series.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026
Verb
  • Some older employees who have benefited from a booming stock market may be retiring feeling comfortable with their 401(k)s, though that doesn’t explain why the participation rate for people ages 25 to 55 has fallen.
    Rachel Barber, USA Today, 9 July 2026
  • But for some Atlanta businesses, the major soccer tournament has fallen far short of expectations.
    Amy Wenk, AJC.com, 9 July 2026
Verb
  • Mediators of the deal, led by Pakistan and Qatar, will almost certainly now be hurriedly trying to get the agreement back on the rails.
    Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 8 July 2026
  • Last month, veteran Hollywood producer Roy Lee got three calls in a single day from executives at three different studios.
    Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
Verb
  • One boy, 12, succumbed to the heat and passed out, with EMS medics and police rushing to help him, according to PIX 11.
    Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 4 July 2026
  • On Thursday at Wimbledon, a couple of players were unable to do so, succumbing to Nadal’s Law.
    Ava Wallace, New York Times, 2 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Depart.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/depart. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

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