Synonyms of stay

stay 1 of 4

verb (1)

1

as in to remain

to continue to be in a place for a significant amount of time

let's stay inside this pavilion until it stops raining

Synonyms & Similar Words

• remain
• wait
• hang around
• dwell
• stick around
• abide
• tarry
• linger
• hang on
• await
• hold on
• loiter
• dawdle
• overstay
• outstay
• dally

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• leave
• move
• go
• get off
• pull out
• quit
• walk out
• take off
• cut out
• exit
• depart
• bail
• peel off
• bail out
• escape
• go off
• push on
• shove (off)
• clear out
• push off
• pack (up or off)
• get out
• fly
• pike (out or off)
• flee
• run away
• evacuate
• skip
• book
• clear off
• vacate
• buzz (off)
• bug out
• vamoose
• abandon
• forsake
• desert
• abscond
• decamp
• scram
• scat

2

as in to stop

to bring (something) to a standstill

stay the trial until this new evidence has been processed

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stop
• halt
• catch
• stall
• check
• arrest
• block
• pull up
• still
• draw up
• hold
• hold up
• hinder
• suspend
• bring up
• end
• fetch up
• impede
• hold back
• conclude
• snag
• obstruct
• detain
• cut off
• terminate
• stem
• dam
• balk
• clog
• discontinue
• call
• suppress
• turn back
• blockade
• rein (in)
• baffle
• repress
• bottleneck
• choke off
• squash
• squelch
• stunt
• stanch

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• continue
• keep (on)
• carry on
• persist
• run on
• keep up
• move
• proceed
• march
• advance
• progress
• go along
• push
• fare
• drive
• follow through (with)
• stir
• spur
• propel
• budge
• wend
• actuate
• goad
• impel

3

as in to wait

to remain in place in readiness or expectation of something

we'll stay for a while longer and see if anyone shows up

Synonyms & Similar Words

• wait
• remain
• linger
• await
• hold on
• sit tight
• bide
• hang around
• bide one's time
• hold one's breath
• stick around
• stand by
• cool one's heels
• expect
• watch (for)
• anticipate
• tarry

4

as in to visit

to reside as a temporary guest

let's stay at a quaint inn rather than at some generic motel

Synonyms & Similar Words

• visit
• sojourn
• haunt
• occupy
• tarry
• run in
• stop (by)
• crash
• come over
• come by
• drop by
• drop in
• step in
• hang (around or out)
• inhabit
• frequent

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• live
• reside
• dwell
• abide

stay

2 of 4

verb (2)

as in to sustain

to hold up or serve as a foundation for

beams being used to stay the bridge while it is undergoing repairs

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sustain
• carry
• support
• bolster
• uphold
• bear
• brace
• shore (up)
• underpin
• prop (up)
• steady
• buttress
• undergird
• underlie
• truss

stay

3 of 4

noun (1)

1

as in visit

a temporary residing as another's guest

my mother-in-law is coming for a brief stay next week

Synonyms & Similar Words

• visit
• sojourn
• tarry
• field trip
• stopover
• homestay
• layover
• sleepover
• stop

2

as in cessation

the stopping of a process or activity

we must work without stay if we are ever to reach our goal of equal rights for everyone

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cessation
• halt
• ending
• end
• close
• conclusion
• stop
• finish
• closure
• shutdown
• cease
• termination
• arrest
• expiration
• stoppage
• check
• cutoff
• offset
• lapse
• discontinuance
• discontinuation
• shutoff
• pause
• suspension
• surcease
• closedown
• arrestment
• break
• interruption
• phaseout
• abeyance
• standstill
• moratorium
• layoff
• mop-up
• letup

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• continuation
• continuance
• extension
• persistence
• prolongation

stay

4 of 4

noun (2)

as in support

a structure that holds up or serves as a foundation for something else

a free press is one of the principal stays of a democratic society

Synonyms & Similar Words

• support
• shore
• reinforcement
• mount
• brace
• pillar
• prop
• mounting
• spur
• foundation
• stand
• column
• underpinning
• crutch
• bracket
• buttress
• arch
• pedestal
• cantilever
• truss
• stake
• frame
• post
• shoring
• peg
• bearing
• bolster
• base
• strut
• girder
• pilaster
• stilt
• stanchion

Synonym Chooser

How is the word stay distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of stay are defer, postpone, and suspend. While all these words mean "to delay an action or proceeding," stay often suggests the stopping or checking by an intervening agency or authority.

the governor stayed the execution

When might defer be a better fit than stay?

The words defer and stay are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, defer implies a deliberate putting off to a later time.

deferred buying a car until spring

When would postpone be a good substitute for stay?

The meanings of postpone and stay largely overlap; however, postpone implies an intentional deferring usually to a definite time.

the game is postponed until Saturday

Where would suspend be a reasonable alternative to stay?

The words suspend and stay can be used in similar contexts, but suspend implies temporary stoppage with an added suggestion of waiting until some condition is satisfied.

business will be suspended while repairs are underway

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of stay

Verb

The Ravens want to stay afloat while Lamar Jackson recovers from injury. — Matt Weyrich, Baltimore Sun, 8 Nov. 2026

Losing some of the heat-absorbing color can help the dragonflies stay cooler, but the males also lose color that helps attract females. — Connie Hanzhang Jin, NPR, 8 Nov. 2026

Noun

The same modelling suggested the average stay for such an object would be around nine months. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 5 Nov. 2026

While guest rooms top out at 323 square feet, 12 of the accommodations can connect for larger family stays. — Kasia Dietz, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2026

Phrases Containing stay

• stay clear of