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
Saratoga residents can lease plots annually with the possibility of renewal. Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2025 Pacific Life has temporarily leased 25,000-square-feet of office space near Queensbridge until the project is complete, the company said. Charlotte Observer, 28 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lease
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lease
Verb
  • Grander residences are also available to rent; a few of the 10 are owned by boldface names like Donna Karan.
    Jacqui Gifford, Travel + Leisure, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Book your stay at the Cades Cove Campground, rent a bike right from the campground store, pack a meal, and start your journey in the afternoon.
    AFAR Media, AFAR Media, 30 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
  • In 2021, the former president was hospitalized for a urinary tract infection that spread to his bloodstream.
    Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2025
  • Deveining is the simple process of removing this tract—improving the texture and appearance of your shrimp.
    Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 29 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • In children and adolescents, physical activity promotes bone health; encourages healthy growth and the development of muscle; and improves motor and cognitive development.
    Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
  • By 2030, the country’s developer community will outgrow that of the US, according to GitHub — potentially threatening the nation’s long-standing lead in software development.
    Rachyl Jones, semafor.com, 31 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lease.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lease. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.

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