Synonyms of leaves

leaves 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of leave

1

as in abandons

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

• abandons
• strands
• deserts
• dumps
• quits
• forsakes
• ignores
• escapes
• forgets
• discards
• vacates
• relinquishes
• flings
• walks away from
• ditches
• sheds
• maroons
• walks out on
• rejects
• scraps
• throws away
• yields
• withdraws (from)
• surrenders
• jettisons
• delivers
• throws out
• renounces
• retreats (from)
• separates (from)
• disowns
• takes off (from)
• hands over
• cuts off
• gives up
• junks
• repudiates
• sacrifices
• neglects
• abjures
• disregards
• shucks (off)
• distances

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• has
• keeps
• retains
• holds
• possesses
• owns
• reserves
• harbors
• reclaims
• saves
• withholds
• rescues
• redeems

2

as in bequeaths

to give by means of a will

I'm going to leave all of my possessions to my children

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bequeaths
• passes (down)
• wills
• deeds
• devises
• hands down
• hands on

3

as in quits

to give up (a job or office)

he left his job in the city and moved out into the country

Synonyms & Similar Words

• quits
• abandons
• retires (from)
• bags
• resigns (from)
• gives notice
• vacates
• chucks
• steps down (from)
• steps aside (from)
• throws up
• drops out (of)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• stays (at)
• hires (out or on)

4

as in hands

to put (something) into the possession or safekeeping of another

why don't you leave your watch with me while you swim?

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hands
• gives
• transfers
• entrusts
• delivers
• delegates
• passes
• relinquishes
• recommends
• transmits
• confides
• commends
• commits
• reposes
• consigns
• turns over
• trusts
• lends
• grants
• vests
• submits
• loans
• gives over
• bequeaths
• hands over
• divides
• distributes
• confers
• assigns
• furnishes
• disperses
• dispenses
• deals (out)
• yields
• supplies
• surrenders
• turns in
• releases
• wills
• hands in
• advances
• hands down
• hands on
• retransmits
• redelivers
• retransfers
• recommits

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• holds
• keeps
• retains
• possesses
• receives
• reserves
• owns
• takes
• accepts
• withholds
• holds back
• occupies
• detains
• takes in
• takes over

5

as in dumps

to end a usually intimate relationship with

is there ever a good way to leave a lover?

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dumps
• ditches
• abandons
• cuts
• breaks off (with)
• blows off
• jilts
• kisses off
• forsakes
• kisses good-bye
• deserts
• snubs
• cold-shoulders
• brushes (aside or off)
• high-hats
• quits
• slights
• maroons

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• takes
• befriends
• hooks up (with)
• latches (on or onto)

6

as in lets

to give permission to

aw, leave him come

Synonyms & Similar Words

• lets
• allows
• permits
• authorizes
• empowers
• approves
• liberates
• endorses
• licenses
• frees
• indulges
• caters (to)
• gives in (to)
• sanctions
• releases
• commissions
• humors

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• prohibits
• forbids
• prevents
• enjoins
• discourages
• blocks
• inhibits
• deters
• curbs
• impedes
• constrains
• obstructs
• bars
• frustrates
• holds back

leaves

2 of 2

noun

plural of leave

1

as in vacations

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

• vacations
• breaks
• holidays
• recesses
• hols
• rests
• furloughs
• liberties
• relaxations
• sabbaticals
• intervals
• legal holidays
• breathers
• holy days
• feasts
• respites
• intermissions
• interims

2

as in permissions

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• permissions
• authorizations
• consents
• permits
• warrants
• allowances
• sanctions
• signatures
• clearances
• green lights
• licenses
• sufferances
• seals
• grants
• stamps
• concurrences
• passes
• certifications
• accreditations
• tolerances
• agreements
• liberties
• acquiescences
• patents
• assents
• concessions
• acceptances
• imprimaturs
• tolerations
• OKs
• accords

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• prohibitions
• denials
• refusals
• proscriptions
• rejections
• revocations
• injunctions
• vetoes
• taboos
• interdictions
• suppressions
• exclusions
• discouragements
• repressions
• bans
• deterrences
• embargoes

3

as in departures

the act of leaving a place

the party was clearly dying down, and it was time to take our leave

Synonyms & Similar Words

• departures
• goings
• exits
• evacuations
• withdrawals
• flights
• exoduses
• partings
• farewells
• decampments
• outgoes
• retreats
• leave-takings
• retirements
• emigrations
• embarkations
• abandonments
• diasporas
• embarkments
• egresses
• disembarkations
• relinquishments

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• arrivals
• appearances
• approaches
• comings
• entrances
• advents
• ingresses

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of leaves

Verb

Without a mathematical component, education for citizenship leaves students only partially prepared for democratic participation. — Ismar Volić, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2026

The Gators’ understandably rigourous standards for inclusion leaves Meyer as the last man who is qualified. — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Nov. 2026

That leaves flight clinicians like Saucier and Merklin seeing more patients every day. — Elaine Appleton-Grant, NPR, 8 Nov. 2026

The mission’s classified status leaves several technical questions unanswered. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026

The bigger the leaves (such as red oak tree leaves), the bigger the problem. — David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 7 Nov. 2026

The latest absence again leaves the Knicks without a player whose responsibilities extend beyond his scoring. — Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 7 Nov. 2026

The Ahmanson’s work pairs sumptuous costumes, storybook scenery and robust singing with broad, disconnected acting that leaves the musical’s romantic transformation emotionally unconvincing. — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2026

That also leaves the Eagles on a short week, and Saquon Barkley is questionable. — Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 Nov. 2026

Noun

Gardenia Loved for its deliciously fragrant flowers, the gardenia is a tropical evergreen shrub with glossy leaves that is a favorite in Southern gardens. — The Spruce, 8 Nov. 2026

The leaves are steeped in a hollowed gourd and the drink is sipped through a metal straw called a bombilla, and the gourd passes from hand to hand among friends, family and sometimes strangers, refilled for hours. — Isabel Debre, Arkansas Online, 8 Nov. 2026

The possibilities of tall black boots and a midiskirt are endless, especially now that gray skies are becoming more frequent, fallen leaves are piling up on the ground, and the number on the thermometer keeps dropping. — María Munsuri, Glamour, 7 Nov. 2026

If removing the annuals leaves bare soil, Gifford recommends covering it with shredded leaves rather than exposing it to winter weather. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 7 Nov. 2026

Perfect weather for cleaning up all the wet leaves coating the ground, or getting an early start on hanging those holiday lights. — Tammie Souza, CBS News, 7 Nov. 2026

Keeping a swimming pool clean can be a time-consuming task, particularly during the warmer months when frequent use, falling leaves and other debris demand regular attention. — New Atlas, 6 Nov. 2026

This is a lovely time of year to appreciate the great outdoors, specifically a stroll or jalopy ride to gaze at the turning of the leaves. — Ed Silverman, STAT, 6 Nov. 2026

Inside was a tumble of papers, some moldy, some with partial footprints, leaves and twigs interspersed among the pages. — Anja Aronowsky Cronberg, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2026