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 This is the main bus terminal servicing Brasília, with four additional stations (from which both local and long-distance buses depart) around the city. Greyson Ferguson, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025 Is my flight departing on time? John Tufts, Indianapolis Star, 5 Nov. 2025 Co-host Erin Andrews also departed the show after that season, and Tyra Banks followed as the next host. Denise Petski, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2025 Lock your home before departing. Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 5 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for depart
Recent Examples of Synonyms for depart
Verb
  • Thankfully, Tia yet again rises to the occasion and smooths the fight over and helps Gizelle and Keiarna, at the very least, return to a common ground while Wendy exits stage left.
    Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2025
  • The driver, later identified as Sampson, continued to drive recklessly at high speed and exited the interstate and headed into downtown Ybor City.
    Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 9 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • The driver of the car that was hit died at the scene, according to police.
    Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Nov. 2025
  • In filing the suit, the city was following the lead of Norma Nazario, who, in 2024, sued TikTok and Meta for the wrongful death of her fifteen-year-old son, Zackery, who died surfing, claiming that algorithms encouraged her son to become addicted to the act.
    Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 8 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Then, at the next vehicle entrance, the city is proposing a tunnel so bike traffic can move without interacting with cars.
    Amir Mahmoud, Arkansas Online, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Even 6 inches of swiftly moving water can forcefully knock you off your feet.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 9 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Researchers hypothesize that Earhart did not crash at sea, but instead landed and was stranded on Nikumaroro Island, later perishing there.
    Ashley J. DiMella, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Eventually, nearly one-fifth of Fair Havens’ full capacity would perish of COVID-19 complications, according to the Herald’s analysis of data.
    Kevin G. Hall, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Unfortunately, Packers quarterback Jordan Love will go into the game without one of his top receiving threats, who came into the game with a questionable tag.
    Reice Shipley, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2025
  • The company count included insiders like Musk, who held around a 15% stake in Tesla going into the proxy and was allowed to vote his shares.
    Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 11 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Two things happened on that blustery back-to-school morning that fell exactly a month after my eleventh birthday.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Midway through the third quarter, true freshman linebacker Mason Posa, buried on the depth chart just weeks ago, ripped the ball loose at Washington’s 7-yard line and fell on it himself.
    Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Their noise got loudest at night when the city became quiet.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Nov. 2025
  • And Natalie is still justifiably concerned about her dad, calling him up during his night from hell and getting no information from him.
    Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • People exposed to extreme cold are susceptible to frostbite and can succumb to hypothermia in a matter of minutes.
    Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
  • In the ignominious manner of his death, many great artists have succumbed to drugs.
    Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 8 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Depart.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/depart. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on depart

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