1
as in abandoning
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
as in bequeathing
to give by means of a will
I'm going to leave all of my possessions to my children
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in quitting
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 handing
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in dumping
to end a usually intimate relationship with
is there ever a good way to leave a lover?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in letting
to give permission to
aw, leave him come
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in departing
Related Words
as in retirement
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of leaving
Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
Cooper wasn't the only star leaving, as Khalil Mack was traded to the Chicago Bears before the NFL deadline as well.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Champions Liverpool are leading the way in terms of expenditure this summer — their total outlay is north of £300million — but have been selling plenty of players too, with Darwin Nunez (Al Hilal), Luis Diaz (Bayern Munich), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen) and Ben Doak (Bournemouth) leaving.
—Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025
With a productive senior class leaving, keep an eye on Gibson to make massive strides.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Aug. 2025
Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Many travelers like to take that whole week off, leaving the weekend before Christmas.
—Eve Chen, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Kaivan Shroff, a 2024 delegate for Harris, said the former vice president has the right to tell the story of her campaign, as does Biden, who has conducted a few interviews and speeches since leaving office.
—Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 11 Sep. 2025
After connecting at an event in late 2019, the couple spent lockdown together during the COVID-19 pandemic, eventually leaving their bubble and getting engaged in October 2024.
—Carrie Wittmer, Glamour, 11 Sep. 2025
By 2022, those plans were dropped, leaving the empty site.
—Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2025
The Afghan, who asked to remain anonymous, has lived for months at a time without leaving his home, fearful of retribution, and torture, from the Taliban.
—Chris Boccia, ABC News, 5 Sep. 2025
In defending Wolves leaving some of their business until later in the window and missing out on several targets publicly, Shi made a fairly strong case for the club.
—Steve Madeley, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
Avoid leaving any fire unattended.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Sue threatens to call the police and an emotional Santana then shoves her backward into a bookshelf in the corner of her office before appearing slightly surprised at her own behavior and leaving.
—Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
Cooper wasn't the only star leaving, as Khalil Mack was traded to the Chicago Bears before the NFL deadline as well.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Champions Liverpool are leading the way in terms of expenditure this summer — their total outlay is north of £300million — but have been selling plenty of players too, with Darwin Nunez (Al Hilal), Luis Diaz (Bayern Munich), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen) and Ben Doak (Bournemouth) leaving.
—Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025
With a productive senior class leaving, keep an eye on Gibson to make massive strides.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Aug. 2025
Noun
The world might end up ruled by large technology companies that impose their solutions throughout entire continents, leaving little space for homegrown creativity.
—Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Many travelers like to take that whole week off, leaving the weekend before Christmas.
—Eve Chen, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Kaivan Shroff, a 2024 delegate for Harris, said the former vice president has the right to tell the story of her campaign, as does Biden, who has conducted a few interviews and speeches since leaving office.
—Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 11 Sep. 2025
After connecting at an event in late 2019, the couple spent lockdown together during the COVID-19 pandemic, eventually leaving their bubble and getting engaged in October 2024.
—Carrie Wittmer, Glamour, 11 Sep. 2025
By 2022, those plans were dropped, leaving the empty site.
—Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2025
The Afghan, who asked to remain anonymous, has lived for months at a time without leaving his home, fearful of retribution, and torture, from the Taliban.
—Chris Boccia, ABC News, 5 Sep. 2025
In defending Wolves leaving some of their business until later in the window and missing out on several targets publicly, Shi made a fairly strong case for the club.
—Steve Madeley, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
Avoid leaving any fire unattended.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leaving
Verb
-
Companies that committed to DEI efforts and made public statements are now pulling back from those policies, editing their websites, disbanding employee resource groups, and quietly abandoning inclusive hiring goals.—
C200,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Importantly, the company is also abandoning its plan to build a competitor to the cellular Starlink service.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Moms are quitting — or getting pushed out.—
Darian Woods,
NPR,
5 Sep. 2025
-
In addition to maintaining good oral hygiene habits at home, such as brushing and flossing, experts recommend tactics like drinking plenty of water, limiting snacks and sugary foods, and quitting smoking to help prevent cavities.—
Cristina Mutchler,
Verywell Health,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Johnson then had a lengthy discussion with MLB’s replay office in New York before handing the bat to an authenticator sitting near the Yankees dugout.—
Brendan Kuty,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
-
The American designer brought Miceli on board with him at Louis Vuitton, eventually handing her the design reins for fashion jewelry.—
Miles Socha,
Footwear News,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
However, salary-dumping Drummond wouldn't come without risk for the Sixers.—
Bryan Toporek,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
In an interview, Mayor Daniella Levine Cava noted that dumping dogs is a top complaint in the agricultural area of South Miami-Dade known as Redland.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
This season could establish whether the Detroit Lions should have prioritized keeping Engstrand to replace Ben Johnson instead of hiring John Morton and letting Engstrand follow Aaron Glenn to the Jets.—
Mike Sando,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
This strategy offers selective, tax-advantaged benefits while preserving cash flow—letting leaders fairly compensate executives and reinvest in broader team incentives.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
How much of the two presidents Alaskans will be able to see beyond their aircraft arriving and departing is unclear.—
Al Weaver,
The Hill,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
This approach reduces the risks associated with handling and transferring sensitive data across borders.—
Chidambaram Bhat,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Han recommends wrapping cut onions tightly in plastic wrap or transferring them to an airtight container to store in the fridge.—
Heather Riske,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But yesterday, Rihanna did a sartorial 180, ditching her tomboyish ’fit for a girly, baby pink look.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
5 Sep. 2025
-
While some people may experience fleeting sugar and caffeine withdrawal symptoms, ditching soda from your diet can lead to a host of long-term health benefits.—
Sarah Garone,
Health,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Leaving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leaving. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
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