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 But analysis of existing HHS records on vaccine safety was already underway, according to multiple people familiar with internal conversations and the turmoil that saw several CDC officials depart last week. Sarah Owermohle, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2025 However, Tucker departed the game after the sixth inning due to left calf tightness. Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025 Though the festival isn’t moving until January 2027, there’s hope that departing the posh ski town will allow Sundance to attract the kind of audacious voices that put the festival on the map. Brent Lang, Variety, 3 Sep. 2025 Schumacher, who took on the role of Chief Creative Officer after stepping down as DTG’s president in 2023, will serve as a consultant to DTG after departing his current role at the end of September. Greg Evans, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for depart
Recent Examples of Synonyms for depart
Verb
  • As the two left the stage, Carey and Grande shared another hug and exited together.
    Stacy Lambe, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
  • His first and only target came mid-way through the second quarter – taking a hit in the ribs and exiting the game.
    Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Good Fortune follows Reeves as an angel, Gabriel, tasked by his boss, Martha (Sandra Oh), with stopping humans from dying while texting and driving.
    Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The fact that babies and toddlers continue to die from ingesting fentanyl will likely come up in a meeting next month.
    Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Officers said — and video showed — the rancher moved his hands into his jacket after exiting his truck immediately following the crash.
    Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The website’s mobile observatory — which moves about in search of clear skies — will this year be in Cyprus, where the partial eclipse phases occur 30 minutes after moonrise, with totality an hour after that.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Sadly, none of her citrus survived, and many of her cattle perished.
    Mandi Wright, Freep.com, 31 Aug. 2025
  • Did the whole book really perish in the flames?
    Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 31 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • While the most obvious advice is to not drive through deep floods, people want to get to their destinations and often go right into the asphalt swamp.
    Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Meanwhile, on The Bold and the Beautiful, Ridge has had his own will-they-won't-they situation going with Rebecca Budig's Taylor Hayes.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • National Weather Service meteorologists consider forecasting waterspouts during the late summer and fall whenever large, cool air masses overspread the waters of the Great Lakes.
    Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The Department of Buildings told CBS News New York and News 12 Long Island that a 10-by-10-inch section of the ceiling collapsed due to possible water damage, and pieces of the building fell on customers dining inside.
    Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Those in a market that can buy a version with a SIM tray will get a 3,988mAh battery.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 8 Sep. 2025
  • But offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo can manufacture easy touches for Brown to get him in rhythm early.
    Zach Berman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Join the thousands of shoppers who have already scooped up these under-the-radar sales that are about to disappear.
    Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Examples include a Brazilian boy who had his pancreatic malformation disappear in 2013.
    Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Depart.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/depart. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

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