patient 1 of 2

noun

ˈpā-shənt How to pronounce patient (audio)
Definition of patientnext
as in case
an individual awaiting or under medical care and treatment the nurse asked the patient to change into a paper gown

Synonyms & Similar Words

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patient

2 of 2

adjective

ˈpā-shənt How to pronounce patient (audio)
1
as in stoic
accepting pains or hardships calmly or without complaint you were very patient about having to wait for me for so long

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in persistent
continuing despite difficulties, opposition, or discouragement a patient effort to finish college despite the mounting debts

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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 patient
Noun
Starting Wednesday, terminally ill patients in New York will gain the legal right to end their lives. — Aria Bendix, NBC news, 1 Aug. 2026 There was some evidence that certain patients could be cured with only one injection rather than three, which might increase the available supply. — Eric Boodman, STAT, 31 July 2026
Adjective
And patient shoppers will be rewarded further with Tokio7’s policy of lowering prices by 20 percent after one month on the rack, and 50 percent after two. — New York Times, 31 July 2026 The team will aim to answer as many questions as possible during the 1-hour event, so please be patient for your turn. — Lindsay Kimble, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for patient
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patient
  1. case
  2. stoic
  3. persistent
  4. victim
  5. obedient
  6. insistent
  7. passive
  8. subordinate
Noun
  • Kessler, meanwhile, served as co-lead counsel for the athletes in both those cases.
    — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • First applied by a few individual judges in 2019, it was rubber-stamped by a lower section of the supreme court in 2023, which led to regional judges across the country, who rule on citizenship cases, applying it to would-be citizens.
    — Julia Buckley, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of case
Adjective
  • Album Artwork On Arirang‘s album artwork, the members stand with stoic expressions and dapper suits.
    — Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 29 July 2026
  • Murray, a stoic veteran, wasn’t sure what to make of Kent, who played with a cocky edge.
    — Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 26 July 2026
Definition of stoic
Adjective
  • The Perseids are particularly fast and often leave persistent glowing trails.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Collins has long been open about his struggles with alcohol addiction, which in part was spurred by the health issues related to his persistent back injuries.
    — Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of persistent
Noun
  • The hearing in Barrow County court is expected to begin with victims’ families and survivors, many of whom spoke powerfully at Colt’s sentencing.
    — Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 30 July 2026
  • Shanon Gray, an attorney representing the family of victim Kaylee Goncalves, disputed the significance of the evidence.
    — Michael Ruiz , Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of victim
Adjective
  • This fantasy of the obedient wife becomes Agamemnon’s undoing.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 29 July 2026
  • But Magdalen’s temporary embodiment of her sister’s demure, obedient nature does not temper her impulsive, dramatic tendencies—only the development of an empathetic, analytical intelligence can do that.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 July 2026
Definition of obedient
Adjective
  • James Madison was insistent that Congress was the most important and powerful branch, especially the House, which was closest to the people and, being elected every two years, would infuse new blood and new ideas into Congress in perpetuity.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 July 2026
  • Frightening and insistent, impossible yet certain, a feeling more powerful than knowledge.
    — Emily Ruskovich, The Atlantic, 7 July 2026
Definition of insistent
Adjective
  • Co-owner, club ambassador, strength and conditioning coach, headgear salesman, charity fundraiser and now kit designer… nobody can accuse JJ Watt of being a passive investor at Burnley.
    — Matt Slater, New York Times, 31 July 2026
  • Most expat retirees start by applying for a renewable Financially Independent Person Visa, requiring showing a minimum annual passive income for a couple of about $60,000.
    — William P. Barrett, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of passive
Adjective
  • The prosecutor noted Patten's cooperation, his good behavior while free awaiting his sentencing, and his subordinate role to the Cokers in the scheme.
    — Dan Mangan, CNBC, 21 July 2026
  • Executive Vulnerability How a leader reacts in the five-second window after being corrected by a subordinate determines the future of that company’s innovation.
    — William DeCourcy, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
Definition of subordinate

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Cite this Entry

“Patient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patient. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on patient

Nglish: Translation of patient for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about patient

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