rent 1 of 2

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

Relevance
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

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
However, the lifestyle is also part of a growing issue in popular digital nomad destinations, like Lisbon, Portugal, where their presence is driving up rent prices, as landlords find the short-term rental game provides much larger profits than renting long-term. Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 8 Apr. 2025 This leaves me increasingly anxious, especially as my parents, who currently help me with tuition and rent, are getting older and can’t continue working much longer. Abigail Van Buren, Boston Herald, 7 Apr. 2025
Verb
The latest Marvel superhero adventure – starring Anthony Mackie in his first solo Cap movie – will be available April 15 to buy and rent on digital platforms (Apple TV, Fandango at Home, Amazon and more) and May 13 on 4K Blu-ray/DVD. Brian Truitt, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025 Watch Bad Boys for Life on Amazon Prime Video (to rent) Bad Boys: Ride or Die (2024) Bad Boys: Ride or Die finds the detective duo on a serious mission once again. Tommy McArdle, People.com, 7 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rent
Noun
  • After 11 years of perseverance and determination, Rory McIlroy finally secured his elusive Grand Slam win, donning the iconic green jacket with tears of joy streaming down his face.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
  • That’s when the Blazers went on a tear, winning 10 of 11 games.
    Jason Quick, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Several top aides to Johnson estimate the gap to be about $240 million.
    Nell Salzman, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2025
  • That is not enough money to cover the budget gap, according to Sitkowski’s presentation.
    Nell Salzman, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The team moved to north London, leasing the recreation fields in Highbury that would become their stadium, in 1913.
    Caoimhe O'Neill, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Each box costs $15,000 to $20,000 to lease and install.
    Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • When Bruce Boudreau needed to hire an assistant coach for the Anaheim Ducks in 2014, one of his top candidates was already inside the organization.
    Max Bultman, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Yet the organization was flailing when Shero was hired in May 2006.
    Rob Rossi, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Featuring a snug fit from the waist to the thighs, the flared bottom has a low slit at each ankle to show off your best shoes.
    Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Macron opted for a dark navy midi dress with a slight slit on the skirt and a small anchor embellishment.
    Julia Teti, Footwear News, 8 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • This is a good thing, as a percentage of nylon, spandex, or polyester can help with shape retention and prevent holes from developing.
    Maggie Slepian, Travel + Leisure, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Their current stairs are in poor condition, with layers of plywood covering holes and structural issues.
    USA Today, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • House committees, for example, are mandated to find at least $1.5 trillion in spending cuts, while Senate panels have to find at least $4 billion in slashes — a fraction of the House’s amount.
    Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Hazel can pull, push, and even infiltrate the minds of the opposing spirits using her abilities, dodging and diving to avoid rogue slashes or a demonic helping of sludge.
    Sarah Thwaites, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Heading into the weekend, Snow White is projected to drop 53% business in its second Friday to Sunday frame from its opening weekend, which equates to a take of roughly $20 million, Deadline reported.
    Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Austin Wells became the first catcher ever to hit a leadoff homer on opening day, which is sort of like being the first school bus to win the Daytona 500.
    Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rent. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on rent

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!