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 cruise departed Ushuaia on April 1. Kate Wong, Scientific American, 14 May 2026 The flight departed from Roswell Air Center and was headed to Sierra Blanca Regional Airport, the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement. Savannah Peters, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026 Long-time Paramount TV Studios executive Keith Cox is departing the company after 20 years. Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2026 The plane departed from Akron Fulton Regional Airport, which is about 3 miles east of the crash site, the State Highway Patrol said. Meriam Bouarrouj, NBC news, 14 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for depart
Recent Examples of Synonyms for depart
Verb
  • The lobby’s elevator doors opened and a woman with a giant white saucer on her head and a matching floor-length coat, embellished with red splotches that evoked stab wounds, slowly exited.
    Jane Bua, New Yorker, 14 May 2026
  • Schultz exited after issuing a one-out walk in the fifth.
    LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
Verb
  • Another hiker died on the same trail one week earlier after falling down a ravine, though officials haven’t clarified whether injuries or illness caused his death.
    Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
  • One of the owners told officers with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission that 31 other sloths, from Guyana and Peru, had died — either on the way to the attraction or after arriving and being stored over cold nights in a building with no heat or running water.
    Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 May 2026
Verb
  • The campaign now moves forward with voters weighing sharply different visions for California’s future as the primary draws closer.
    James Ward, USA Today, 15 May 2026
  • The Raiders had their worst season since moving to Las Vegas last year.
    Sam Warren, New York Times, 15 May 2026
Verb
  • The ‌annual event pays homage to the 27 million Soviet citizens who perished in that war.
    Reuters, NBC news, 10 May 2026
  • While his phone screen shimmered with suggestions, our teensy tree perished alone on the patio.
    Jamie Siebrase, Denver Post, 8 May 2026
Verb
  • As co-owner of the Australian team along with fellow Hollywood star Hugh Jackman and Slingsby, Reynolds went practice racing on Friday and actually won the race.
    Andrew Rice, New York Times, 11 May 2026
  • The vibe of the ensuing sketch could go either way.
    Alex Barasch, New Yorker, 11 May 2026
Verb
  • Huntington Beach fell behind early in the second set but continued to keep the set close before Fruerbringer’s kill gave the Mustangs a 16-11 lead.
    Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 10 May 2026
  • After a jump ball, Miles chased down the ball at midcourt, started to drive and passed to Hof, whose layup at the buzzer did not fall.
    Mike Cook, Twin Cities, 10 May 2026
Verb
  • The area North Cornwall has plenty of fancy restaurants, but Prawn on the Lawn in Padstow gets the balance right between sophisticated seafood and laidback service.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 May 2026
  • Cameron Brink’s 10 points were the only ones provided by the Sparks’ bench, while the Tempo got 42 points from reserves.
    Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2026
Verb
  • One of the patients later succumbed to their injuries and was pronounced dead, officials said.
    Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026
  • When Montiel had it, doctors could only provide supportive care, as her body either fought off the virus, or succumbed to it.
    Charles Trepany, USA Today, 11 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Depart.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/depart. Accessed 16 May. 2026.

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