lease 1 of 2

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

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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

lease

2 of 2

noun

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

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 lease
Verb
The prince paid £1 million for the property back in 2003, and under the terms of the 75-year lease, due to expire on June 15, 2078, he is expected to pay for any refurbishment work and the maintenance of the surrounding grounds. Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025 But Angel Stadium, per an existing lease agreement in place through 2038, would likely be entitled to a rebate of any admission and parking taxes collected, city officials said. Victoria Le, Oc Register, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
The family ran the business for nearly five decades before leasing the property to industrial users and to accommodate the builders of the nearby Berryessa BART station. Devan Patel, Mercury News, 22 Oct. 2025 SaaS, rental, and leasing The business model for CAE software worldwide is undergoing a major transformation. Ni Tao, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lease
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lease
Verb
  • The ordinance incentivizes people to potentially rent out their homes during the World Cup through platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo without having to pay taxes associated with the use of commercial spaces.
    Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2025
  • After a brief stint renting a home in Orrington, Maine (more on that below), the Kings returned to Lovell in 1979.
    Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Twenty days after the trade, Kupchak stepped down from his position and transitioned into an advisory role, coinciding with the Hornets hiring former Nets executive Jeff Peterson as their new general manager.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Brody was also joined onscreen by his wife, Leighton Meester, who played an influencer and former friend of Joanne (Kristen Bell) who hired Noah for her baby-naming ceremony.
    Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The three suspects damaged property and smashed several iPads taken from a special education classroom, according to a Facebook post by the Chandler Police Department.
    Wren Smetana, AZCentral.com, 26 Oct. 2025
  • Phillips also asked that their assets be divided up by the court as separate property, with no indication in the papers that the exes had a prenup in place.
    Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Pluralibacter gergoviae is a bacteria that has been linked to respiratory diseases, urinary tract infections, eye infections and sepsis, particularly in immunocompromised people, according to Melbec Microbiology, a microbiology testing company that specializes in cosmetics.
    Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 26 Oct. 2025
  • Urinary Tract Infection A urinary tract infection (UTI) occurs when bacteria enter the urinary tract, causing infection and inflammation.
    Lindsay Curtis, Health, 25 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • An atypical role for a presidential foundation At the least, the developments represent an unusually tense application of the foundation’s typical mission, which is to buttress Reagan’s legacy.
    Bill Barrow, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Chen’s Prince Group employs thousands of people and bills itself as one of the biggest conglomerates in Cambodia, with investments in luxury real estate, banking services, hotels, major construction developments, grocery stores and even luxury watches.
    Helen Regan, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lease.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lease. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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