Dictionary-enhanced synonyms
Synonyms for “Leave” — 12 Other Ways to Say It
To go away from a place; to depart or exit somewhere you have been.
Meanings of Leave — Pick the Sense You Need
Leave has 3 common meanings. The synonyms below are grouped by meaning so you can jump straight to the sense you need.
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Meaning #1
as a verb
To go away from a place; to depart or exit somewhere you have been.
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Meaning #2
as a verb
To keep something in a place or state without taking it with you.
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Meaning #3
as a noun
Time off work when you are allowed to stay home for rest or personal reasons.
How to Pronounce Leave
IPA: /liːv/ Stress: O
One syllable with the long 'ee' vowel /iː/, followed by /v/ sound. Rhymes with 'believe' and 'receive'.
4 Synonyms for Leave (Meaning #1 — as a verb)
These synonyms work when you use leave as a verb. Meaning: To go away from a place; to depart or exit somewhere you have been.
depart
/dɪˈpɑːrt/To go away from a place; to leave for another location.
Example: Our bus departs from the station at 8 a.m.
exit
/ˈɛɡzɪt/to leave a place; to go out
Example: Please exit through the front door.
go
/ɡoʊ/To move or travel from one place to a different place; to depart or leave a location.
Example: I go to work every morning at eight o'clock.
abandon
/əˈbændən/To leave something or someone behind, often permanently. To stop trying to do something or stop having something.
Example: The captain ordered the crew to abandon the sinking ship.
4 Synonyms for Leave (Meaning #2 — as a verb)
These synonyms work when you use leave as a verb. Meaning: To keep something in a place or state without taking it with you.
put
/pʊt/To move something to a specific place or position where it stays.
Example: I put the book on the table.
place
/pleɪs/A specific spot or location where something is or happens.
Example: This is my favorite place in the city.
deposit
/dɪˈpɑːzɪt/Money that you put into a bank account, or money you pay upfront as a guarantee.
Example: I made a deposit of five hundred dollars into my savings account.
set
/sɛt/To put something down or arrange it in a specific place or way.
Example: Please set the plates on the table.
4 Synonyms for Leave (Meaning #3 — as a noun)
These synonyms work when you use leave as a noun. Meaning: Time off work when you are allowed to stay home for rest or personal reasons.
Smart Synonyms for Leave — When to Use Each
depart
for formal or scheduled departure from a place
exit
for leaving a building or enclosed space
abandon
for leaving something behind permanently
Antonyms of Leave — Opposite Words
How to Use Leave and Its Synonyms in Sentences
- I leave for school at 7:30 every morning. A1
- She left the office early yesterday to catch her flight. A2
- The conference attendees will leave the venue once all sessions have concluded. B1
- Please leave the door open. A2
- Don't leave dirty dishes on the table. A2
Common Word Choice Mistakes with Leave
Not natural: I have three leave days this month.
Better: I have three days of leave this month.
Use 'days of leave' rather than 'leave days' in formal writing.
Not natural: The leaves are very long in our company.
Better: The leave entitlements are very generous in our company.
Distinguish from 'leaves' (plural of leaf); use full word in formal context.
Frequently Asked Questions About Synonyms of Leave
What is another word for "leave"?
Common synonyms for "leave" include: depart, exit, go, abandon, put.
What can I say instead of "leave"?
Try one of these alternatives: depart, exit, go, abandon, put. Pick the synonym whose register and meaning fits your sentence — see the cards above for definitions and examples.
Is "leave" formal or informal?
"leave" is generally used in neutral contexts.
When should I use "leave" instead of "depart"?
Use "leave" when you want to keep the exact nuance shown in the meaning section above; switch to "depart" when you need a different register, level, or shade of meaning. Compare the cards above to decide.
What are the antonyms of "leave"?
Words with the opposite meaning of "leave" include: arrive, stay, come, take, remove.