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lease

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verb

1
as in to rent
to give the possession and use of (something) in return for periodic payment the landlord was willing to lease the apartment for less than we had expected

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
as in to hire
to take or get the temporary use of (something) for a set sum I couldn't afford to buy a car outright, so I decided to lease one instead

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of lease are charter, hire, let, and rent. While all these words mean "to engage or grant for use at a price," 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

When would charter be a good substitute for lease?

In some situations, the words charter and lease are roughly equivalent. However, 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 lease?

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

In what contexts can rent take the place of lease?

Although the words rent and lease have much in common, 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

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 lease
Noun
Gymshark has been testing the waters in the U.S. for nearly a decade, and now, the U.K.-based activewear brand has finally put pen to paper and signed a lease for its first American store. Jean E. Palmieri, WWD, 12 Feb. 2025 Belk changes amid bankruptcy, debts Belk has six more years on its lease at West Tyvola Road. Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 11 Feb. 2025
Verb
The city will contribute up to $15 million to the museum and lease the land to the museum for 40 years, which is contingent on the museum breaking ground on or before Oct. 31, 2027, according to the resolution. Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Feb. 2025 The mine complex is owned by Iron Mountain, which leases out caverns for storage. Ross O'Keefe, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 12 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lease
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lease
Noun
  • But anyone who has owned property or been involved in a real estate deal will tell you the same thing: there’s nothing passive about it.
    Fred Hubler, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
  • Per his portfolio, Mayweather Jr. also owns properties in Jersey City, Chicago, and Miami.
    Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 25 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Rent Rent is a small part of total household income but an important piece for people who rent out houses, apartments and commercial spaces.
    Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 2025
  • Logistical aspects such as renting terrace space to get the best camera angles of St. Peters’ Square in the event of a papal funeral — which draws a huge gathering of world leaders, prelates and ordinary Catholics — have long been taken care of, according to several sources.
    Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 24 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Regional airline crews also are held to the same high training standards and minimum flight hours as mainline aviators, although because of the higher pay scales at mainline carriers, regional airlines often hire pilots that are newer to the industry.
    Zach Wichter, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2025
  • Last year, Humane hired an investment bank to sell itself, while also seeking new funding.
    Erin Griffith, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Related article Respiratory virus activity is high and rising across the United States, CDC data shows CNN: How are lower respiratory tract infections like pneumonia diagnosed and treated?
    Katia Hetter, CNN, 19 Feb. 2025
  • Fairway Community Access First-time homebuyers in eligible census tracts in 21 metro areas — including Baltimore, Chicago, Detroit, Miami, New York City, Phoenix and St. Louis — can qualify for a $7,000 grant for closing costs or a down payment.
    Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 28 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Under this agreement, Syracuse will offer market-relevant and industry-specific online degrees, certificates and credentials, as well as a range of non-credit professional development and executive education training programs, courses and workshops.
    Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 28 Feb. 2025
  • The Future Of Authentic BD In The AI Era AI should never be a replacement for business development; it should be used to help BD professionals understand clients and prospects on a deeper level.
    Patricia Nagy, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lease.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lease. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

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