rent 1 of 2

noun

Definition of rentnext
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

Relevance
2
as in gap
an open space in a barrier (as a wall or hedge) peered through the rent in the old garden wall for a glimpse of her mysterious new neighbor

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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 rent
Noun
Families shouldn’t have to choose between paying rent and putting food on the table. — Carolina Chavez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2025 The couple signed the contract, which changed the rent due date to the 29th of each month, and paid a $600 deposit, the lawsuit said. — Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025
Verb
Trump governs at a far different time, with the nation uncertain of its place in a rapidly changing world and rent by bitter internal clashes between the country’s prevailing status quo elite and Trump forces bent on upending the elite. — Robert W. Merry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Mar. 2025 The best way to enjoy the flower show is to rent a car and drive throughout the region, stopping at producers like Terraroma for a photo and artisan goods. — Ashlea Halpern, AFAR Media, 6 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rent
  1. tear
  2. gap
  3. lease
  4. hire
  5. slit
  6. hole
  7. slash
  8. opening
Noun
  • His family sat in the front row, wiping away tears throughout the service.
    — Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Passionate testimonies of remembrance for deputies King and Rohrer brought the courtroom to tears.
    — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of tear
Noun
  • However, a glaring gap has emerged and must be earnestly addressed: the need for fair, accurate and relevant representation of LGBTQ people.
    — Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Idaho residents brought forward a successful ballot measure to close that gap in 2018, and Medicaid expansion has been in place in Idaho since then, the Statesman previously reported.
    — Sarah Cutler and, Idaho Statesman, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of gap
Verb
  • The Celtics lease the arena from Delaware North, which owns the Bruins, and thus do not receive revenue from other events held there.
    — Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Applicants must purchase property for $406,000 or lease for $15,100 per year for five years, plus fees and donations.
    — Alex Ledsom, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
Definition of lease
Verb
  • In 2023, the city hired the formidable Carmela Levy-David as its new superintendent.
    — Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Former Levi Strauss executive Brady Stewart was hired two months later as Bay FC’s CEO and first employee.
    — Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of hire
Noun
  • Remember when Angelina Jolie went viral for her leg-bearing slit at the 2012 Oscars?
    — Christian Allaire, Vogue, 13 Mar. 2025
  • The look featured a strapless black dress with a thigh-high slit.
    — Julia Teti, WWD, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of slit
Noun
  • To prevent wildfires under a red flag warning, follow these steps: If burning is allowed in your location, make sure all burn barrels are fitted with a weighted metal cover that has holes no bigger than 3/4 of an inch.
    — STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Berkshire showcased mental fortitude on No. 17, perhaps the most famous par-3 hole on the PGA Tour.
    — Bennett Conlin, Baltimore Sun, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of hole
Noun
  • Some have suggested that the recent slashes to the NWS are a sign that DOGE is trying to dismantle NOAA entirely.
    — William Lambers, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
  • The private equity playbook tends to go like this: A bunch of wealthy people get together and buy a company that’s supposedly struggling, take it private and mercilessly slash costs.
    — Allison Morrow, CNN, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of slash
Noun
  • But Walker hasn't returned to the field just yet and there's been some skepticism as to whether the veteran first baseman would be ready to take the field on opening day.
    — Mark Davis, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 2025
  • The Hoosiers needed a win in the Big Ten tournament to bolster their resume but lost to Oregon in the opening contest.
    — Kyle Feldscher, CNN, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of opening

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Cite this Entry

“Rent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rent. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on rent

Nglish: Translation of rent for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rent

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