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Definition of staynext
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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

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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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

stay

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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

stay

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noun (1)

stay

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noun (2)

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

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 stay
Verb
Residents were told to stay at home, and schools were briefly locked down following Sunday’s shootings. Robert Blankenship, The Washington Examiner, 7 June 2026 After this, the team came to the conclusion that the village needed a women’s health center where mothers and newborns could stay for up to 72 hours. Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 7 June 2026
Noun
The island is also home to plenty of intimate boutique hotels and adults-only stays. Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 7 June 2026 Prices from around $980 per guest/night, including accommodation, and the women’s health pack, which is a supplementary cost, can be added to 7-, 10- or 14-night stays—for seven nights, the pack would cost around $1,500 on top of the $5,000 Rebalance & Energize program, for instance. Rachel Ingram, Robb Report, 7 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for stay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stay
Verb
  • With approximately 56% of votes counted, analysts say Steyer would need to outperform Becerra by roughly 12 points in remaining ballots to advance to November.
    Ruyuan Li. Story produced with AI assistance, Sacbee.com, 5 June 2026
  • If caught in a rip current, remain calm.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 5 June 2026
Verb
  • By targeting Israel in response to attacks in Lebanon, Tehran appeared to be signaling that its red lines no longer stop at its own borders – and that its leaders are ready to take greater risks.
    Abbas Al Lawati, CNN Money, 10 June 2026
  • Bussi got the nod after stopping 18 of 19 shots in relief of Andersen in Game 3 in the third period and two overtimes.
    Michael Russo, New York Times, 10 June 2026
Verb
  • Servers glide by with carts of champagne and caviar, and with desserts waiting to be flambéed right at your table.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 June 2026
  • And with roughly an hour to go until tipoff, there are still droves of fans outside waiting to get into the arena.
    Andrew Greif, NBC news, 9 June 2026
Verb
  • Spend time walking around, snapping photos, or visiting the small interactive museum, ZOOOM, where a short 3D film flies viewers over the mountain range; admission is included in the ticket price.
    Lauren David, Travel + Leisure, 29 May 2026
  • According to organizers, the 2027 run will visit approximately 50 cities across the United States and Canada from February through April, marking a decade since the touring drag production first launched.
    Holly Alvarado, Daily News, 29 May 2026
Verb
  • Victor Rivas, 40, sustained injuries to his arms and was treated at a hospital before he was booked into jail on allegations of driving while intoxicated, resisting arrest and being a fugitive from adjacent Jefferson Parish, Louisiana State Police said.
    Dennis Romero, NBC news, 9 June 2026
  • Ednar Dayanghirang, director of the Office of Civil Defense in a nearby southern region, said more than 100 students attending morning flag-raising ceremonies sustained bruises and some fainted in panic at different elementary and high schools.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026
Noun
  • The latest collection, Vibrations of Spring, celebrates the end of winter, the cessation of snow and silence, the way light changes as summer approaches.
    Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026
  • After negotiations that lasted nearly nine hours, Israel and Lebanon agreed to implement a ceasefire, contingent on a cessation of Hezbollah fire and the removal of Hezbollah operatives from southern Lebanon.
    Helen Regan, CNN Money, 4 June 2026
Noun
  • Her agency offers various programs like caregiver support and meal services, along with opportunities to exercise the mind.
    Lauren Pastrana, CBS News, 4 June 2026
  • Israel invaded Lebanon in March in pursuit of Hezbollah, which fired across the border in support of Tehran.
    Reuters, NBC news, 4 June 2026
Verb
  • They were fined and banned from participating in the following World Cup and qualifiers, halting any progress.
    Andrew McNicol, CNN Money, 7 June 2026
  • But many national security experts say the deal, while not perfect, succeeded in its main goals of halting Iran's march toward proliferation and enabling effective monitoring of Tehran's nuclear activities.
    Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 6 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Stay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stay. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.

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