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

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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

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 rent
Noun
Details: 2½ stars; available for rent on Apple TV+. Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 17 Jan. 2025 The crowdsourced effort to combat rent gouging is just another way the LA community and people worldwide have come together to help residents impacted by the fires. Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
The federal government itself also became an awkward customer by renting millions of dollars’ worth of rooms at his hotels and clubs. Karen Yourish, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025 For example, if your organization has a beautiful campus and, better yet,an auditorium with a full AV package, consider renting it out to a local dance studio, theatre troupes, or other organizations that require a place to host events or performances. Rachelle Rutherford, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for rent 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rent
Noun
  • And the Winner Is ... Carrie Underwood bursts into tears as she is announced as the season 4 winner on the singing competition in 2005.
    People Staff, People.com, 20 Jan. 2025
  • Gronowski played last season with a slight tear in his shoulder but still completed 61.1 percent of his passes for 2,719 yards and 23 touchdowns, plus 380 rushing yards and 10 more scores.
    Scott Dochterman, The Athletic, 20 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The Alpha Fund is geared toward investors seeking higher returns through more complex strategies, such as basis trading (exploiting pricing gaps between spot and futures markets) and derivatives trades.
    Nina Bambysheva, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
  • And yet, for the first time since that gap began to open, Notre Dame has an honest chance to go all the way.
    Pete Sampson, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • For properties that had been leased or listed in the previous year, landlords are barred from hiking rents by more than 10%.
    Liam Dillon, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025
  • The off-price retailer leased 23,700 square feet of space at 1030 South White Rd.
    George Avalos, The Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • He’s also brought in nearly the same overall from the other cities and counties that subsequently hired him.
    Ben Wieder, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2025
  • Around 58% of hiring managers said recent college graduates are unprepared for the workforce, according to a December survey from Intelligent, an online magazine focused on higher education.
    Nayeli Jaramillo-Plata, CNN, 26 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The skirt falls almost like a mermaid tail, and incorporates a very wide slit from the top of the leg.
    Ana Serrano, Glamour, 6 Jan. 2025
  • For the skirt and dress lovers out there, this set features a cute long-sleeve top and a midi skirt that has a subtle slit on it.
    Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 3 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • But the concerns about how the state ended up in the budget hole to begin with, remains central to the blame game.
    Mikenzie Frost, Baltimore Sun, 25 Jan. 2025
  • Listen to this article Harris English finished with a flurry Friday afternoon in the third round of the Farmers Insurance Open, carding birdies on his final three holes for a 6-under 66 and a one-stroke lead over Andrew Novak heading into Saturday’s final round.
    Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Finding new uses for slash piles and other leftovers will be key to creating a more sustainable industry.
    Elizabeth Miller, Outside Online, 12 Jan. 2025
  • At worst, lawmakers could take Musk and Ramaswamy’s advice and slash spending even more deeply, at least until Congress reauthorizes OAA.
    Howard Gleckman, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Joseph kept his opening remarks brief, thanking the audience for attending the early morning screening at the Egyptian Theatre, which was well-attended given the early start time and late re-addition to the schedule.
    William Earl, Variety, 27 Jan. 2025
  • In the film’s opening scene, Roger tests the waters with Casey, an art dealer running a small gallery in Bed-Stuy.
    Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near rent

Cite this Entry

“Rent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rent. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

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