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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of while
Rod Stafford Hagwood, Sun Sentinel, 19 June 2025
The court will be closed Thursday for Juneteenth and June 20 has been scheduled as a half-day for a while.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 18 June 2025
After six months of shows, with three months of rehearsals before that, all Bailey wanted to do was disappear for a while.
—Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 18 June 2025
For a while, slick shoes didn't quite get off the ground after his breakout roles in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) and The Goonies.
—Sarah Weldon, EW.com, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for while
Noun
But for a while, Lemon was in the news more than covering the news.
—Rod Stafford Hagwood, Sun Sentinel, 19 June 2025
The court will be closed Thursday for Juneteenth and June 20 has been scheduled as a half-day for a while.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 18 June 2025
After six months of shows, with three months of rehearsals before that, all Bailey wanted to do was disappear for a while.
—Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 18 June 2025
For a while, slick shoes didn't quite get off the ground after his breakout roles in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) and The Goonies.
—Sarah Weldon, EW.com, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for while
Recent Examples of Synonyms for while
Noun
-
Vegetation is cleaned up to reduce potential wildfire fuel and create defensible space around park structures, trails and areas close to homes.—
Nollyanne Delacruz,
Mercury News,
25 June 2025
-
Give emerging brands the ability to prove themselves in the digital world before asking them to fight for a few inches of shelf space.—
Joe Chura,
Rolling Stone,
25 June 2025
Noun
-
Separate efforts by the United Nations to distribute limited food have been plagued by armed gangs looting trucks and by crowds of desperate people offloading supplies from convoys.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Chicago Tribune,
28 June 2025
-
Botswana is also investing in mitigation efforts by phasing out hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and promoting various energy efficiency measures.—
Kyle Roderick,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
Noun
-
Of course, the piano does seem to be at least a little bit haunted by an ’80s pop star named Vision.—
Caroline Carlson
June 30,
Literary Hub,
30 June 2025
-
Joya had been allowed to pull the flouncy bit off her shoulders, like the singers in ABBA, but since my mother told me to keep covered, the top surrounded me sadly like a funereal wreath.—
Jhumpa Lahiri,
New Yorker,
30 June 2025
Noun
-
Chronic low back pain (LBP) can be debilitating because of its ability to impact important areas of daily life: mobility, work, sleep, and mental well-being.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
25 June 2025
-
Small-scale research provides a sense of how larger-scale processes work, which are much more difficult to measure.—
Sarah Boon
June 25,
Literary Hub,
25 June 2025
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
Cite this Entry
“While.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/while. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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