1
as in space
an indefinite but usually short period of time
we stayed at the fair for a while longer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in effort
the active use of energy in producing a result
it's not worth my while to fix it, so we'll get a new one
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in when
at or during the time that
pay attention while I'm explaining how the new phone system works
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of while
Jason Ma, Fortune, 15 June 2026
And for a short while on Sunday, the tiny Caribbean country believed.
—Russell Lewis, NPR, 15 June 2026
All the while, an incredible experience with my son.
—Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 June 2026
After a while, the heat miraculously gives way to a cool drizzle.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for while
Noun
The bad news is that healing will take a while.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 15 June 2026
And for a short while on Sunday, the tiny Caribbean country believed.
—Russell Lewis, NPR, 15 June 2026
All the while, an incredible experience with my son.
—Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 June 2026
After a while, the heat miraculously gives way to a cool drizzle.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for while
Recent Examples of Synonyms for while
Noun
-
The ambiguity of Chinese, the way meaning pools in the spaces between words, resists translation.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
15 June 2026
-
Other spaces honor former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt, Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel and others.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
Pan made national headlines during his time in Legislature for leading the state’s efforts to toughen school vaccine requirements.—
Mathew Miranda,
Sacbee.com,
17 June 2026
-
Eco effort This is a fragile environment—Kerlingarfjöll was designated a Protected Nature Reserve by Umhverfisstofnun (the Environmental Agency of Iceland) in 2020.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 June 2026
Conjunction
-
But scientists and doctors say things aren’t that simple — and a belief that exposing children to marijuana, either directly or indirectly, is harmless isn’t supported by the facts.—
Daniel M. Jimenez,
The Cannifornian,
22 June 2017
-
But with a full and volatile season behind them, the two have grown closer, prompting check-ins from Bradford last month, seeking tidbits from his coach who watched OTA practices on a tablet from his Kentucky retreat.—
Chad Graff,
Twin Cities,
15 June 2017
Noun
-
Sunday brings a little bit of everything.—
Damien Lodes,
CBS News,
13 June 2026
-
Drill bit makers who serve the oil and gas industry are replacing tungsten drill bits with steel, which wears more quickly.—
Ari Sen,
Scientific American,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
That leaves little time for work, which can pose an additional financial burden.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
-
Republicans expanded work requirements for SNAP.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“While.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/while. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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