lease 1 of 2

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

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

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
Noun
Traditional metrics such as long-term leases or consistent occupancy can give a false sense of stability. Aurele Gouy, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025 The Irishman has had a new lease of life since moving into the back three and is regarded as a hugely solid character in the squad. Steve Madeley, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
Verb
The order directed federal agencies to temporarily stop issuing approvals for both onshore and offshore wind projects and pause leasing for offshore projects in federal waters. Umair Irfan, Vox, 21 Apr. 2025 The state will lease Laurel Park racetrack for three years at a cost of one dollar per year. Todd Karpovich, Baltimore Sun, 18 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lease
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lease
Noun
  • Nourish at 1 Hotel South Beach A platform for sustainable luxury, Nourish will be taking place at 1 Hotel South Beach’s Tala Beach— coinciding with the property’s 10th anniversary.
    Cheryl Tiu, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
  • According to police Shriner was hit in the shoulder and then retreated inside her property.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Healy asked at the committee meeting whether the village had investigated renting screens when needed.
    Mike Nolan, Chicago Tribune, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Colocation data centers involve renting space for servers and computing hardware rather than relying on in-house or private facilities.
    Jeff Marks, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Since hiring French manager Wilfried Nancy in 2023, the Crew have been consistently pleasing to the eye.
    Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
  • By the end of last summer, eight new coaches had been hired.
    Carol Schram, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • According to the Cleveland Clinic, E. coli is a group of bacteria that can cause infections in your gut, urinary tract and other parts of the body.
    Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The National Academy of Medicine also confirms sufficient evidence linking indoor mold exposure to upper respiratory tract symptoms in otherwise healthy individuals.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • This interest in hair restoration procedures has led to the expansion of the hair restoration industry and to the development of new and innovative treatments.
    Rhiannon Frater, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Brentwood’s narrow canyons resist oversized development, and its village-scale retail discourages party-bus invasions.
    Spencer Elliott, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lease.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lease. Accessed 5 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on lease

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!