1
as in departure
the act of leaving a place
the leave-taking of the guest of honor was scheduled for 11 o'clock
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in farewell
the act or process of two or more persons going off in different directions
the sweethearts' leave-taking was filled with tearful pauses and promises to meet again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of leave-taking
The study of leave-taking was assumed to be more complicated than the study of greetings.
—
Shayla Love, New Yorker, 4 Feb. 2026
Read More: 8 Polite Ways to Decline a Party Invitation
The second part of leave-taking is expressing your gratitude to the host, which calls for another straightforward and succinct two words.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 8 Dec. 2025
How can a child understand this kind of leave-taking?
—Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 26 Jan. 2024
With Nitti’s leave-taking, McEntire sent home Noah Spencer and Ms. Monet, with Ruby Leigh, Jordan Ranier and Jacquie Roar moving on to the live shows.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 28 Nov. 2023
Forest fires were lowering human birth weights, zoo chimpanzees in Kyoto enjoy virtual forests, and the chimpanzees of the Bossou community are formal in their greetings but unceremonious in their leave-taking.
—Matthew Gavin Frank, Harper's Magazine, 21 Feb. 2022
Shayla Love, New Yorker, 4 Feb. 2026
Read More: 8 Polite Ways to Decline a Party Invitation
The second part of leave-taking is expressing your gratitude to the host, which calls for another straightforward and succinct two words.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 8 Dec. 2025
How can a child understand this kind of leave-taking?
—Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 26 Jan. 2024
With Nitti’s leave-taking, McEntire sent home Noah Spencer and Ms. Monet, with Ruby Leigh, Jordan Ranier and Jacquie Roar moving on to the live shows.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 28 Nov. 2023
Forest fires were lowering human birth weights, zoo chimpanzees in Kyoto enjoy virtual forests, and the chimpanzees of the Bossou community are formal in their greetings but unceremonious in their leave-taking.
—Matthew Gavin Frank, Harper's Magazine, 21 Feb. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leave-taking
Noun
-
While many departures could be precautionary rather than permanent, the figures point to a rupture in what had been a steady migration from Britain to the Gulf.—
Emma Graham,Sawdah Bhaimiya,
CNBC,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Chavez-DeRemer’s departure came as several controversies were surrounding her, her office and her family members.—
Jared Gans,
The Hill,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Also among the many people who had come to wish Ayala a fond farewell?—
Deborah Netburn,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Dolly Parton first wrote the song in 1973 as a farewell to Porter Wagoner, who had been her longtime colleague and mentor.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leave-taking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leave-taking. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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