leave-taking

noun

ˈlēv-ˌtā-kiŋ How to pronounce leave-taking (audio)
Definition of leave-takingnext
1
as in departure
the act of leaving a place the leave-taking of the guest of honor was scheduled for 11 o'clock

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in farewell
the act or process of two or more persons going off in different directions the sweethearts' leave-taking was filled with tearful pauses and promises to meet again

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 leave-taking The study of leave-taking was assumed to be more complicated than the study of greetings. — Shayla Love, New Yorker, 4 Feb. 2026 Forest fires were lowering human birth weights, zoo chimpanzees in Kyoto enjoy virtual forests, and the chimpanzees of the Bossou community are formal in their greetings but unceremonious in their leave-taking. — Matthew Gavin Frank, Harper's Magazine, 21 Feb. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leave-taking
  1. departure
  2. farewell
Noun
  • Following the simultaneous departures of former chiefs Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd) and Teddy Altman (Kim Raver) at the end of last season, long-time fans might have expected another familiar face to take the helm.
    — Max Gao, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Her high-profile appointment followed a multiyear hiatus for Calvin Klein Collection on the runway following the departure of Raf Simons in 2018.
    — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of departure
Noun
  • The actress bid farewell to the series with the show’s finale in May 2026, after more than 10 years playing Claire Fraser on the Starz series.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The episode ends with everyone back on the front lawn for a formal farewell.
    — Adam B. Vary, IndieWire, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of farewell

Browse Nearby Words

leaves (out)
leave-taking
leave-takings
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Cite this Entry

“Leave-taking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leave-taking. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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