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
Relevance
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
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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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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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6
as in to let
to give permission to
aw, leave him come
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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
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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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3
as in departure
the act of leaving a place
the party was clearly dying down, and it was time to take our leave
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of leave
Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2026
While many leave college intending to return, few ultimately do.
—ABC News, 14 Apr. 2026
Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 18 Apr. 2026
Over time, the canopy thins, the leaves crinkle, and the tree slowly dies.
—Jacob Wycoff, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for leave
Verb
Instead, a number of chimpanzees took off running, leaving Sandel and fellow researcher John Mitani puzzled.
—Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2026
While many leave college intending to return, few ultimately do.
—ABC News, 14 Apr. 2026
Noun
Many types of lungwort grow leaves which are frequently splashed with silvery white speckles for extra interest in the shady part of the garden.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 18 Apr. 2026
Over time, the canopy thins, the leaves crinkle, and the tree slowly dies.
—Jacob Wycoff, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for leave
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leave
Verb
-
The three-block stretch, between 16th and 19th avenues, looks markedly different from just a year ago, when tents, abandoned cars and piles of trash crowded the street and sidewalks.—
Da Lin,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2026
-
What to read next The USSR withdraws troops from the border with Afghanistan, as Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev abandons invasion plans to focus his resources on the Space Race.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Herrera’s single off reliever Steven Okert scored one of the runners Burrows bequeathed.—
Matt Kawahara,
Houston Chronicle,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Upon her death in 2022, the Crown Jewels were bequeathed to her son, King Charles.—
Emily Kelleher,
InStyle,
8 Apr. 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
-
In the final days of the war, the Nazis sought to destroy the party’s vast collection of membership cards but they were saved at the last minute and later handed to the Americans.—
Lianne Kolirin,
CNN Money,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Brendan Fitzgerald has left his role as CEO of Secuoya Studios, which is at the same time handing complete independence to its Latin American arm.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Polls show voters give him poor marks on the issue and are leaning toward dumping his Republican allies in the forthcoming midterm congressional elections.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The bike dumped onto its side, throwing both riders, state police said.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
And let’s not get started on neighborhood historic preservation gatekeepers where, say, using the wrong balusters on your porch can set off World War III with your neighbors.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Mariah Carey lets her hair down at the Tiffany & Co.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
21 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
-
Some travelers have even tucked it under the headrest of the seat in front of them (with the passenger’s permission).—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Reprinted by permission of Curtis Brown, Ltd.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leave.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leave. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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