Synonyms of lease

lease 1 of 2

noun

as in property

Related Words

• property
• tract
• development
• plot
• parcel
• plat
• lot
• frontage
• real estate
• patch

lease

2 of 2

verb

1

as in to rent

to give the possession and use of (something) in return for periodic payment

the landlord was willing to lease the apartment for less than we had expected

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rent
• sublease
• let
• hire
• charter
• sublet
• lodge
• engage
• rack-rent

2

as in to hire

to take or get the temporary use of (something) for a set sum

I couldn't afford to buy a car outright, so I decided to lease one instead

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rent
• hire
• charter
• sublease
• engage
• sublet
• book
• check out
• arrange (for)
• contract (for)
• reserve
• order
• sign up (for)
• bespeak

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of lease are charter, hire, let, and rent. While all these words mean "to engage or grant for use at a price," 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

When would charter be a good substitute for lease?

In some situations, the words charter and lease are roughly equivalent. However, 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 lease?

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

In what contexts can rent take the place of lease?

Although the words rent and lease have much in common, 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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of lease

Noun

Caltrans often puts excess land up for sale or lease. —Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 15 May 2026

The property is owned by Caltrans and the lease ends early next year. —Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 15 May 2026

Verb

Instead, the city would lease it from BART for $1 a year for 99 years, potentially longer than the building’s lifetime, Lyman noted. —Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 14 May 2026

Meanwhile, Allen has leased a two-hour nightly comedy block on CBS. —Todd Spangler, Variety, 14 May 2026