rent 1 of 2

1
as in tear
a long deep cut getting her skirt caught on a nail resulted in a four-inch rent that she couldn't possibly repair

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2

rent

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to lease
to give the possession and use of (something) in return for periodic payment we rented the apartment to a college student for $500 a month

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
as in to hire
to take or get the temporary use of (something) for a set sum will need to rent a car while we're in Europe

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word rent different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of rent are charter, hire, lease, and let. While all these words mean "to engage or grant for use at a price," rent stresses the payment of money for the full use of property and may imply either hiring or letting.

instead of buying a house, they decided to rent
will not rent to families with children

Where would charter be a reasonable alternative to rent?

The words charter and rent can be used in similar contexts, but charter applies to the hiring or letting of a vehicle usually for exclusive use.

charter a bus to go to the game

How are the words hire and let related as synonyms of rent?

Both hire and let, strictly speaking, are complementary terms, hire implying the act of engaging or taking for use and let the granting of use.

we hired a car for the summer
decided to let the cottage to a young couple

When would lease be a good substitute for rent?

The meanings of lease and rent largely overlap; however, lease strictly implies a letting under the terms of a contract but is often applied to hiring on a lease.

the diplomat leased an apartment for a year

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 rent
Noun
On average, placing two children in child care would cost at least 19% more than the typical rent in 49 states, plus the District of Columbia. Jade Walker, CNN Money, 15 May 2025 With Weidner refusing to move forward until the company was released from rent control obligations, the council voted last week to relieve all buildings citywide built after 2004 from the 3% cap on annual rent increases. Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 15 May 2025
Verb
The apartment was Carmelo’s home base during his time with the New York Knicks, renting it in 2015 while navigating the peaks and valleys of his illustrious career. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 17 May 2025 And while Paddington in Peru has been available to rent on Amazon and Apple, the third film in this beloved franchise will now reach millions of new watchers on Netflix. Travis Bean, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for rent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rent
Noun
  • With tears welling in her eyes, Serena reveals where the commanders' flight to D.C. is departing from.
    EW.com, EW.com, 20 May 2025
  • Ewing suffered a postseason-ending partial Achilles tear in Game 2 of that series, but the Knicks still managed to advance in six games thanks in large part to the late-game heroics of Johnson.
    Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 19 May 2025
Noun
  • There's also a racial gap, with Black and Native American women far more likely to die from cervical cancer than white women.
    Jennifer Ludden, NPR, 10 May 2025
  • According to the official, who spoke to CNN on condition of anonymity, Iran evaluates the talks’ interruptions and weekly gaps, which were against Tehran’s preference, as a political and media game by the American side and is now preparing for scenarios in which the talks fail.
    Frederik Pleitgen, CNN Money, 10 May 2025
Verb
  • The new bill, which specifically applies to Canadian citizens aged 50 and over who own or lease a U.S.-based residence, includes other new provisions, including prohibiting eligible Canadians from working for U.S. employers or accessing public benefits.
    Nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025
  • The company purchases Boeing aircraft and leases them to airlines around the world.
    Jenni Reid, CNBC, 8 May 2025
Verb
  • According to the church's webpage, after pastoring in the states of Kentucky and Tennessee, Buice was hired in June 2010 as Pray’s Mill Baptist Church head preacher.
    Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 14 May 2025
  • Veteran journalist and programmer Fionnuala Halligan has been hired as the Red Sea Film Festival’s Director of International Programmes.
    Zac Ntim, Deadline, 14 May 2025
Noun
  • In 2023, Heidi Klum arrived in a boob-baring Zuhair Murad look featuring thigh-high slits and dramatic wings, while Irina Shayk wore Gucci lingerie.
    Robyn Merrett, StyleCaster, 13 May 2025
  • Hadid’s look featured a cross-back dress with a thigh-high slit in silk satin.
    Julia Teti, Footwear News, 13 May 2025
Noun
  • Private contractors under the supervision of St. Paul Public Works will spend up to two months repairing the man-sized sink hole that opened on the evening of May 8, forcing ongoing partial road closures between Chestnut and Walnut streets.
    Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 13 May 2025
  • The screws may loosen and allow engine oil to leak from the screw holes, according to the recall report.
    James Powel, USA Today, 13 May 2025
Noun
  • But there are other solutions beyond slash and burn.
    U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 May 2025
  • His childhood friend–slash–onetime extramarital hookup, Nora, is back in the hospital with an infected graft, and her condition seems to get worse by the minute.
    Laura Bradley, Vulture, 9 May 2025
Noun
  • The park officially opens on May 22, however only annual passholders, Military Freedom Passholders and guests who purchase qualifying Universal Orlando vacation packages are eligible to visit during its initial opening window.
    Eve Chen, USA Today, 16 May 2025
  • The season kicks off with an opening week game abroad on Sept. 5, facing off against the Chargers in Sao Paolo, Brazil.
    Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rent. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

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