stays 1 of 4

present tense third-person singular of stay
1
2
3
as in waits
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

4

stays

2 of 4

verb (2)

present tense third-person singular of stay
as in sustains
to hold up or serve as a foundation for beams being used to stay the bridge while it is undergoing repairs

Synonyms & Similar Words

stays

3 of 4

noun (1)

plural of stay

stays

4 of 4

noun (2)

plural of stay

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 stays
Verb
May 21 – June 20 Conversations feel easier when curiosity stays open. Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 27 June 2026 The next part is deciding who stays, protect enough cap room and find enough size and defense to compete in 2026-27. C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 26 June 2026 The person who stays late, over-prepares, double-checks everything and rarely says no is frequently praised as committed and dependable. Dr. Sharon H. Porter, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026 The second car drives onto a side street, stays there for just under two minutes, with the driver even getting out for a few seconds, before taking off. Mike Darnay, CBS News, 26 June 2026 People often assume the moon stays amber all night. Jamie Carter, Space.com, 26 June 2026 Offer a raincheck so your energy returns and goodwill stays intact. Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 20 June 2026 Even the top end SL model stays below the $30,000 affordability barrier. New Atlas, 20 June 2026 And what do these aesthetic hotel stays cost? Merle Ginsberg, HollywoodReporter, 19 June 2026
Noun
Transient guest taxes come from hotel and motel stays within the city’s limits. Sofi Zeman june 25, Kansas City Star, 25 June 2026 In the weeks that follow a person's death, their unpaid bills will continue to arrive, including invoices for hospital stays, emergency treatment or medical care that hadn't yet been paid. Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 25 June 2026 RVing is not cheap, but renting can be comparable to the cost of road tripping with hotel stays and dining out. Eve Chen, USA Today, 23 June 2026 Officials have also proposed increasing the tax on hotel stays and short-term rentals in unincorporated areas of the county to boost revenue. Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 23 June 2026 The flexible pull-on waistband stays relaxed from your morning commute to dinner plans. Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 23 June 2026 There are plenty of luxury stays, such as the Post Ranch Inn, with spectacular views of Big Sur, and The Leta Santa Barbara Goleta, Tapestry Collection by Hilton; both have excellent restaurants. Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 23 June 2026 Apart from its 180-degree views across the San Fernando Valley and toward the San Gabriel Mountains, the retreat’s distinct harmony of redwood and glass throughout ensures its post-and-beam construction stays filled with natural light. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 22 June 2026 The property is ideal for groups, families, and those seeking longer stays, thanks to spacious suites outfitted with full kitchens, separate living areas, and private balconies with gas grills. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stays
Verb
  • But the fear of being snatched by ICE agents remains, Neel said.
    Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 26 June 2026
  • But much of the repressive and corrupt structure in place during Maduro’s reign remains, with no concrete date set for democratic presidential elections.
    Helen Regan, CNN Money, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • Burke won the Stanley Cup as Anaheim’s general manager in 2007, one of several front-office stops for him, along with time spent as the NHL’s director of hockey operations.
    Stephen Whyno, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2026
  • The nose stops registering any single note and the room just smells busy.
    Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 June 2026
Verb
  • Continue reading … Tune in the country waits for high-stakes rulings from the Supreme Court, including its looming birthright citizenship decision.
    , FOXNews.com, 26 June 2026
  • Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust’s portfolio.
    Jeff Marks, CNBC, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • Aracely Duarte Perez visits her father at the Imperial Beach, US-Mexico border.
    Luzdelia Caballero, CBS News, 24 June 2026
  • Iran’s president visits Pakistan to coordinate mediation on sanctions relief, nuclear limits and rebuilding, even as disputes flare over control of Strait of Hormuz shipping lanes and how Iran can spend unfrozen assets.
    Munir Ahmed, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • The push out of their respective comfort zones is sweaty, arduous, and, the series suggests, exactly the kind of exertion that sustains a relationship.
    Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 15 June 2026
  • Pascale’s cello generally swoops and sustains while Katzmann’s saxophone jitters in search.
    Emma Madden, Pitchfork, 11 June 2026
Noun
  • Since prolonged production halts can cause permanent damage to oil wells, shutting them down is typically a last resort.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 15 June 2026
  • In practice the printer ran for about 3 months (including setup and halts), whereas a traditional cast bridge might have taken 3–4 times longer.
    Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 16 May 2026
Noun
  • On the other were calls to shift resources away from policing and toward social supports and services.
    Diane Goldstein, Mercury News, 19 June 2026
  • Build office- and home-based supports that make systems flexible enough to let their strengths show.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
Verb
  • Angèle’s narrative never catches fire and while Anei is striking as Ada, that section of the film feels slightly patronizing, reducing this immigrant tale to yet another strained salute to perseverance.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
  • Then something unusual catches your eye.
    Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Stays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stays. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.

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