rent 1 of 2

Definition of rentnext
1
as in tear
a long deep cut getting her skirt caught on a nail resulted in a four-inch rent that she couldn't possibly repair

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2

rent

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to lease
to give the possession and use of (something) in return for periodic payment we rented the apartment to a college student for $500 a month

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
as in to hire
to take or get the temporary use of (something) for a set sum will need to rent a car while we're in Europe

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word rent different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of rent are charter, hire, lease, and let. While all these words mean "to engage or grant for use at a price," rent stresses the payment of money for the full use of property and may imply either hiring or letting.

instead of buying a house, they decided to rent
will not rent to families with children

Where would charter be a reasonable alternative to rent?

The words charter and rent can be used in similar contexts, but charter applies to the hiring or letting of a vehicle usually for exclusive use.

charter a bus to go to the game

How are the words hire and let related as synonyms of rent?

Both hire and let, strictly speaking, are complementary terms, hire implying the act of engaging or taking for use and let the granting of use.

we hired a car for the summer
decided to let the cottage to a young couple

When would lease be a good substitute for rent?

The meanings of lease and rent largely overlap; however, lease strictly implies a letting under the terms of a contract but is often applied to hiring on a lease.

the diplomat leased an apartment for a year

How is the word rent different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of rent are charter, hire, lease, and let. While all these words mean "to engage or grant for use at a price," rent stresses the payment of money for the full use of property and may imply either hiring or letting.

instead of buying a house, they decided to rent
will not rent to families with children

Where would charter be a reasonable alternative to rent?

The words charter and rent can be used in similar contexts, but charter applies to the hiring or letting of a vehicle usually for exclusive use.

charter a bus to go to the game

How are the words hire and let related as synonyms of rent?

Both hire and let, strictly speaking, are complementary terms, hire implying the act of engaging or taking for use and let the granting of use.

we hired a car for the summer
decided to let the cottage to a young couple

When would lease be a good substitute for rent?

The meanings of lease and rent largely overlap; however, lease strictly implies a letting under the terms of a contract but is often applied to hiring on a lease.

the diplomat leased an apartment for a year

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of rent
Noun
The university would pay $10 in rent for the entire 10-year term and cover costs for utilities, janitorial services and some insurance. Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2026 LendingTree found that the average rent has spiked from $1,128 from their last survey in 2025 to $1,680 this year, a nearly 50% increase. Jacqueline Munis, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2026
Verb
One of my go-to services is David's Vacation Club Rentals, which connects travelers with DVC members looking to rent out unused points. Jacqueline Dole, Southern Living, 13 Apr. 2026 Other members include Brad Bird, Celine Song and Jason Reitman, who will advise on issues facing theatrical moviegoing, including windows, referring to the number of days films play exclusively in movie theaters before being available to buy or rent at home, and consolidation. ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rent
Noun
  • Lies, tears and an apology Testimony from multiple witnesses suggested that many of those involved were misled — and, at times, misled one another.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2026
  • And there will surely be a cascade of tears and terrors in-between.
    Selome Hailu, Variety, 15 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • So what does a $77 rotisserie chicken say about the increasing wealth gap, the disparity between the leisure and working classes, and the overall affordability crisis that certainly irked those who balked at the price?
    Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Apr. 2026
  • Republicans tend to view their tax bill more negatively than Democrats, but Gallup’s polling shows that this gap often shrinks when a Republican is president.
    Linley Sanders, Fortune, 14 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Newmark said the buildings were 94% leased with tenants in commercial, industrial and office industries.
    Samantha Gowen, Oc Register, 10 Apr. 2026
  • The Machados leased the land to Devastating Pyrotechnics and BlackStar Fireworks.
    Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 10 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Nick Serrano, Gloria’s deputy chief of staff, says there has also been a concerted effort by the administration to discourage department heads from hiring program managers and program coordinators unless absolutely necessary.
    David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
  • Director Paul Feig's take on the story of a live-in maid hired to work for a wealthy family with a big secret has earned $400 million globally at the box office.
    Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Welcoming model Amelia Gray as a guest judge, Klum posed for portraits with the 24-year-old, who paired a cropped blue-violet turtleneck with a matching low-slung slit skirt.
    Hannah Malach, InStyle, 9 Apr. 2026
  • Its large leaves develop holes and slits that have earned it the name Swiss cheese plant.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 7 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Deputies noticed possible bullet holes in a parking sign in front of the business suite, which is near a church.
    City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2026
  • Rory McIlroy faded his tee shot into the pine straw, forcing a dramatic finish for his second consecutive Masters title, a final round that saw the Northern Irish golfer press his luck on the final few holes.
    Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 13 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Evergreen has been forced to skip the burning of slash piles this winter because of a lack of snow.
    Alan Gionet, CBS News, 9 Apr. 2026
  • Paul slash Harrison is always just a little smarter than you.
    Amy Amatangelo, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Ivan Demidov, Alex Newhook and Zachary Bolduc also scored for Montreal, which continues its push for home-ice advantage in the opening round and a potential Atlantic Division title.
    ABC News, ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026
  • The movie’s point of view is established with a brief opening voice-over by a woman named Sasha, whose reminiscences of childhood, and of her brother Jeremy, make up the bulk of the film.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Rent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rent. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.

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