1
as in to abandon
to cause to remain behind
you can leave your lunch in the refrigerator while we're outside starry-eyed lovers who promise never to leave one another
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in to quit
to give up (a job or office)
he left his job in the city and moved out into the country
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to hand
to put (something) into the possession or safekeeping of another
why don't you leave your watch with me while you swim?
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to dump
to end a usually intimate relationship with
is there ever a good way to leave a lover?
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in to let
to give permission to
aw, leave him come
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in vacation
a period during which the usual routine of school or work is suspended
the soldier was on leave for three days before having to report back to base
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in permission
the approval by someone in authority for the doing of something
the editor gave the reporters leave to follow up on their initial investigation of the senator's fund-raising practices
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in departure
the act of leaving a place
the party was clearly dying down, and it was time to take our leave
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of leave
Jenna Ryu, SELF, 6 Apr. 2026
Bichette lined out to right field to end the inning, leaving them loaded.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2026
Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2026
Natural Aging The good news is that sometimes, a few dropped leaves in springtime is simply natural aging and nothing to be alarmed about.
—Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 11 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for leave
Verb
What if your friends are leaving you out on purpose?
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 6 Apr. 2026
Bichette lined out to right field to end the inning, leaving them loaded.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2026
Noun
Machado was placed on administrative leave following the violent July 1 explosion, which was felt by residents up to 20 miles away, destroyed a family farm and sparked a 78-acre grass fire.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2026
Natural Aging The good news is that sometimes, a few dropped leaves in springtime is simply natural aging and nothing to be alarmed about.
—Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 11 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for leave
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leave
Verb
-
Putin, for his part, will not abandon Hungary if Orbán falls.—
Kapil Komireddi,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Although most polls show that many Hungarians have abandoned Orban and his Fidesz party and plan to vote for change, the long-serving prime minister remains deeply popular among large parts of Hungarian society — particularly among older voters and those in the smallest settlements.—
Justin Spike,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Upon her death in 2022, the Crown Jewels were bequeathed to her son, King Charles.—
Emily Kelleher,
InStyle,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Certainly the june bug — winged music, forest crackle, witness to the lives of mud — will bequeath some of her vitality to the sharp song of the bird from a city so foreign to her.—
María Ospina,
The Dial,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Nevertheless, Kayla refused to quit.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
11 Apr. 2026
-
The town has been operating without a local government since January, when its entire Board of Trustees quit following years of bitter infighting and a violent scuffle that sent one of the trustees to the hospital, The Denver Post reported last month.—
Sam Tabachnik,
Denver Post,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Under Missouri’s stadium plan, the state cannot simply hand the Royals a blank check to build a stadium.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The two were greeted with kisses on the cheek by Pakistani political and military officials before being handed bouquets of flowers.—
NBC News,
NBC news,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Norwegian director balanced horror, humor and action with more panache in the films that put him on the map, Dead Snow and its sequel, which dumped Nazi zombies in mountain woodlands.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Apr. 2026
-
All studies confirm that San Diegans could save billions in coming decades by dumping for-profit San Diego Gas & Electric in favor of a public electric utility.—
Craig D. Rose,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
While your brave nature prefers fast outcomes, letting ideas mature in private should put you in a position to act with more confidence in a positive outcome.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
On the rare occasions a teammate passed him the ball, Knueppel would duck and let the ball skitter out of bounds.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This crochet sweater is a close match to Alba’s vacation ’fit.—
Sian Babish,
PEOPLE,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Chee was arrested Thursday while on a family vacation to Disney World and charged with seven counts of second-degree murder — one for each person killed in July 1 blast.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
To qualify for the legal permission to remain in the country, these immigrants must pass background checks and renew their application every two years.—
Mathew Miranda,
Sacbee.com,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The Associated Press has been granted permission by the Iranian government to send an additional team into the country for a brief reporting trip.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leave.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leave. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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