Useful opposites or contrasts to “arrive” include Depart, Leave, Exit, Go and other terms below. The strongest choice depends on the exact sense of “arrive,” so the list separates direct opposites from useful contextual contrasts rather than treating every item as interchangeable.
Which Opposite of “Arrive” Fits Best?
Quick options:
- Depart
- Leave
- Exit
- Go
- Withdraw
- Retreat
- Vacate
- Set off
- Take off
- Head out
- Move away
- Part
- Decamp
- Clear out
- Embark
For “arrive,” not every item is a strict dictionary antonym in every sentence. Some oppose one particular sense or provide a useful contextual contrast, so choose the term that matches the meaning you are actually reversing.
Before replacing “arrive,” read the whole sentence with the new wording in place. Check whether the grammatical role, degree of emphasis, and implied context still match. A term can be closely related in meaning but still sound unnatural if it belongs to a different register or sense.
Depart
Depart is the clearest formal opposite of arriving at a place.
Example: The train will depart at six.
Leave
Leave is the everyday verb for going away from a place.
Example: They left the venue shortly after the speech.
Exit
Exit means to go out of a place or system.
Example: Passengers should exit through the rear doors.
Go
Go can contrast with come or arrive in simple everyday contexts.
Example: We should go before the roads become busy.
Withdraw
Withdraw suggests moving away from a place, activity, or position.
Example: The troops withdrew from the area overnight.
Retreat
Retreat means to move back or away, often deliberately.
Example: The hikers retreated when the weather worsened.
Vacate
Vacate means to leave a place so that it becomes unoccupied.
Example: Tenants must vacate the flat by noon.
Set off
Set off means to begin a journey away from the starting point.
Example: They set off before sunrise.
Take off
Take off fits departure by aircraft and some informal travel contexts.
Example: The flight is due to take off at 09:20.
Head out
Head out is an informal phrase for leaving or beginning a journey.
Example: We’ll head out as soon as everyone is ready.
Move away
Move away emphasizes increasing distance from a place.
Example: Several families moved away after the factory closed.
Part
Part means to leave one another or go separate ways.
Example: The friends parted at the station.
Decamp
Decamp is a less common verb meaning to leave a place suddenly or deliberately.
Example: The group decamped to a quieter campsite.
Clear out
Clear out is informal and means to leave a place, often completely.
Example: The crowd was told to clear out after closing time.
Embark
Embark means to begin a journey, contrasting with reaching its destination.
Example: They embarked at Southampton for the final leg of the journey.
Choosing the Right Antonym for “Arrive”
Depart and leave are the strongest general opposites. Set off and embark emphasize the beginning of a journey, while vacate and clear out focus on leaving a particular place.