1
as in to abandon
to cause to remain behind
you can leave your lunch in the refrigerator while we're outside starry-eyed lovers who promise never to leave one another
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in to quit
to give up (a job or office)
he left his job in the city and moved out into the country
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to hand
to put (something) into the possession or safekeeping of another
why don't you leave your watch with me while you swim?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to dump
to end a usually intimate relationship with
is there ever a good way to leave a lover?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in to let
to give permission to
aw, leave him come
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in vacation
a period during which the usual routine of school or work is suspended
the soldier was on leave for three days before having to report back to base
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in permission
the approval by someone in authority for the doing of something
the editor gave the reporters leave to follow up on their initial investigation of the senator's fund-raising practices
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in departure
the act of leaving a place
the party was clearly dying down, and it was time to take our leave
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples 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 leave
Kiana Murden, Vogue, 19 Dec. 2024
Cavuto decided to leave on his own, declining an offer to renew his contract despite requests from Fox News to stay on board, according to a Mediaite report.
—Asher Notheis, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 19 Dec. 2024
Ron Wood, arkansasonline.com, 4 Dec. 2024
The police lieutenant was placed on administrative leave in February 2022.
—Ella Lee, The Hill, 3 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for leave 
Verb
According to the brand, this binds to dirt, makeup, sunscreen, and sebum to easily wipe it away—leaving skin soft and conditioned.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 19 Dec. 2024
Cavuto decided to leave on his own, declining an offer to renew his contract despite requests from Fox News to stay on board, according to a Mediaite report.
—Asher Notheis, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 19 Dec. 2024
Noun
Cordeiro was placed on administrative leave after the episode and subsequently resigned, according to West Fork police.
—Ron Wood, arkansasonline.com, 4 Dec. 2024
The police lieutenant was placed on administrative leave in February 2022.
—Ella Lee, The Hill, 3 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for leave
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leave
Verb
-
The Claridge Hotel’s former casino sits abandoned as well.Jonathan Rowe, SPIN, 18 Dec. 2024
-
If the department’s predictions are correct, the U.S. would be essentially abandoning any pretense of trying to limit climate change.Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 18 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The Romans christened it Insula Minor, Lesser Island, as if forever bequeathing it plain-Jane status next to Ibiza and Mallorca, its alluring Balearic sisters.Stephanie Rafanelli, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 May 2023
-
The home was bequeathed to the Currier Museum of Art and is now available for tours.Rachel Davies, Architectural Digest, 29 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
Chrystia Freeland quit on Monday after Trudeau offered her a lesser position.David Ljunggren, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024
-
After 10 years as a Ram and in the NFL, Donald called his career quits this past offseason.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
In the ’90s, Hollywood might have handed him its checkbook.Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024
-
And the jury agreed, handing her a 7-1-0 win, with only Kyle voting otherwise, for Sam.Dalton Ross, EW.com, 19 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The cold front brought lake-effect snow, dumping 3.5 feet of snow in western and up to 20 inches in northern Lower .Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024
-
Before long he’s been dumped in the back of a police car, making the jostly trek to a segregated reform school known as Nickel Academy.Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 13 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Livia Gershon December 6, 2017 Can schools let students and teachers celebrate religions holidays without violating the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause?The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 16 Dec. 2024
-
Staying connected with the S6’s smart features lets users keep themselves informed throughout the day with notifications and alerts for things like calls, messages and apps.Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
The Honest Company founder, 43, shared an Instagram carousel of family photos from a recent vacation.Toria Sheffield, People.com, 8 Dec. 2024
-
Plan Ahead Planning a perfect vacation to Africa requires a lot of detail, and a lot of time.Bjorn Behlert, Travel + Leisure, 8 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
When Mar-a-Lago and Trump’s Palm Beach golf club sought permission to hire temporary foreign workers in July 2024, Florida’s unemployment rate stood at 3.3%.Zach Everson, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
-
But this act also gave people permission to go far enough—to acknowledge their righteous hatred of our depraved health-care system, and even to conjure something funny or silly or joyous out of that hate.Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 13 Dec. 2024
Articles Related to leave
Thesaurus Entries Near leave
Cite this Entry
“Leave.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leave. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share