Synonyms of depart

depart

verb

di-ˈpärt 

1

as in to exit

to leave a place often for another

I'll sing one more song before I depart

Synonyms & Similar Words

• exit
• move
• go
• get
• start
• flee
• quit
• evacuate
• escape
• fly
• part
• retire
• step (along)
• withdraw
• begone
• get off
• bail
• scarper
• go off
• run along
• cut out
• clear out
• pull out
• sally (forth)
• clear off
• walk out
• peel off
• take off
• push off
• dig out
• shove (off)
• beat it
• buzz (off)
• bail out
• vamoose
• emigrate
• push on
• abandon
• bug off
• skip
• bug out
• pack (up or off)
• book
• pike (out or off)
• bugger off
• retreat
• take a hike
• set out
• hit the road
• take a powder
• forsake
• abscond
• vacate
• pull stakes
• remove
• strike out
• get out
• run away
• desert
• decamp
• adjourn
• go out
• step out
• scram
• light out
• scat
• mizzle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• come
• arrive
• remain
• stay
• abide
• dwell
• show up
• settle
• close
• turn up
• approach
• reach
• tarry
• hit
• lodge
• near
• land

2

as in to die

to stop living

a special tribute for those members of the motion picture academy who have departed over the past year

Synonyms & Similar Words

• die
• perish
• fall
• succumb
• disappear
• expire
• go
• end
• exit
• pass (on)
• pass away
• demise
• buy it
• check out
• part
• step out
• fade
• decease
• kick off
• pop off
• snuff it
• drop
• croak
• kick in
• give up the ghost
• kick the bucket
• peg out
• fail
• bite the dust
• predecease
• flatline
• conk (out)
• consume
• dry up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• live
• breathe
• come to
• revive
• be
• exist
• linger
• thrive
• flourish
• subsist
• prosper

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

Recent Examples of depart

House of Fear also departs from its predecessors in that there can be only one winner. —Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Jan. 2026

Flights are delayed an average of 36 minutes as ground crews deice departing flights, according to the FAA. —Katie Langford, Denver Post, 8 Jan. 2026

For the first time ever, astronauts will depart the International Space Station early due to a medical issue. —Mike Wall, Space.com, 8 Jan. 2026

Musk departed from OpenAI's board in 2018 after trying to convince Altman to let his autos business, Tesla, acquire the AI nonprofit. —Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 8 Jan. 2026