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Definition of departnext

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb depart contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of depart are deviate, digress, diverge, swerve, and veer. While all these words mean "to turn aside from a straight course," depart suggests a deviation from a traditional or conventional course or type.

occasionally departs from his own guidelines

Where would deviate be a reasonable alternative to depart?

The synonyms deviate and depart are sometimes interchangeable, but deviate implies a turning from a customary or prescribed course.

never deviated from her daily routine

When could digress be used to replace depart?

While the synonyms digress and depart are close in meaning, digress applies to a departing from the subject of one's discourse.

a professor prone to digress

How do diverge and depart relate to one another?

Diverge may equal depart but usually suggests a branching of a main path into two or more leading in different directions.

after school their paths diverged

When is it sensible to use swerve instead of depart?

The meanings of swerve and depart largely overlap; however, swerve may suggest a physical, mental, or moral turning away from a given course, often with abruptness.

swerved to avoid hitting the dog

When can veer be used instead of depart?

The words veer and depart are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, veer implies a major change in direction.

at that point the path veers to the right

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 depart House of Fear also departs from its predecessors in that there can be only one winner. Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Jan. 2026 Flights are delayed an average of 36 minutes as ground crews deice departing flights, according to the FAA. Katie Langford, Denver Post, 8 Jan. 2026 For the first time ever, astronauts will depart the International Space Station early due to a medical issue. Mike Wall, Space.com, 8 Jan. 2026 Musk departed from OpenAI's board in 2018 after trying to convince Altman to let his autos business, Tesla, acquire the AI nonprofit. Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 8 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for depart
Recent Examples of Synonyms for depart
Verb
  • Thankfully, Tia yet again rises to the occasion and smooths the fight over and helps Gizelle and Keiarna, at the very least, return to a common ground while Wendy exits stage left.
    Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2025
  • The driver, later identified as Sampson, continued to drive recklessly at high speed and exited the interstate and headed into downtown Ybor City.
    Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 9 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • By 1971, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, and Brian Jones had all died at the age of twenty-seven from drugs and alcohol.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Jan. 2026
  • This year's awards season promises to deliver more inspiration, but in the meantime, do yourself a favor an invest in a quality round brush, some styling gel or pomade, and a ride-or-die can of hairspray.
    Grace McCarty, Glamour, 12 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Enrollment Though still growing overall, state economists reported in early January that K-12 enrollment numbers were nearly 42,500 lower than predicted, with signs of continuing downward trends moving forward.
    Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 12 Jan. 2026
  • Researchers at the University of Manchester, led by Professor Thomas Anthopoulos, have successfully stabilized perovskite solar cells, which could help move the low-cost technology into the global mass market.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 12 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • They were doomed to perish in the fires of hell.
    KC Baker, PEOPLE, 11 Jan. 2026
  • Harold Cunningham/Getty Outside Le Constellation, Federico Gelle, a 17-year-old from Italy's Tuscany region, lit a candle for so many teens his own age who had perished.
    CBS News, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The Kings went into the halftime break with a 58-46 lead and a 22-5 advantage in fastbreak points.
    Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 7 Jan. 2026
  • While strolling in New York City, Katie Holmes went for a casual vibe in baggy black jeans with a light jacket and a crossbody bag, while Jennifer Garner's pair had a touch of subtle elegance with gold-tone hardware.
    Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Two things happened on that blustery back-to-school morning that fell exactly a month after my eleventh birthday.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Midway through the third quarter, true freshman linebacker Mason Posa, buried on the depth chart just weeks ago, ripped the ball loose at Washington’s 7-yard line and fell on it himself.
    Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Their noise got loudest at night when the city became quiet.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Nov. 2025
  • And Natalie is still justifiably concerned about her dad, calling him up during his night from hell and getting no information from him.
    Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Trim away any roots that have succumbed to root rot.
    Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 5 Jan. 2026
  • Vasquez-Trinidad succumbed to her injuries two days after the crash, the outlets reported, citing the New York Police Department.
    Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Depart.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/depart. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on depart

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