as in to stay
to remain in place in readiness or expectation of something
please wait here, and we'll seat you shortly
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in delay
an instance or period of being prevented from going about one's business
there was a long wait for the manager to come and help us
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of wait
Gregg Evans, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2025
The Pentagon can no longer afford to wait for the outbreak of the next conflict to enact these changes.
—Michael Brown, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2025
The Pitt does a great job depicting what’s really happening with wait times and ER volumes in the U.S., and that is a real struggle for us, too.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wait
Verb
After such a huge high, Gray, his team-mates and everyone associated with Leeds were left to wait to find out whether this result would be enough to seal their return to the Premier League.
—Gregg Evans, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2025
The Pentagon can no longer afford to wait for the outbreak of the next conflict to enact these changes.
—Michael Brown, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
The agency had worked the wait down to an average of less than 13 minutes, in part by encouraging customers to wait off the line for a call back.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2025
The Pitt does a great job depicting what’s really happening with wait times and ER volumes in the U.S., and that is a real struggle for us, too.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wait
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wait
Verb
-
For First-Class Mail, the current service standard day range of 1-5 days is staying the same, while the day ranges for end-to-end Marketing Mail, Periodicals, and Package Services are being shortened.—
Bonnie Bolden,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2025
-
Richie Grainge stayed true to her favorite pure: the Loro Piana Extra Pocket.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
28 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Under cost-cutting orders from the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency, purchasing cards had been frozen, requiring approvals for all but emergency expenses, which sometimes meant lengthy delays.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
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Books Orwell’s 5 greatest essays: No. 1, ‘Politics and the English Language’ Nov. 8, 2013 Some Wodehouse lines are like time bombs, detonating with a momentary delay.—
Michael Hiltzik,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Managers don’t always appreciate lingering legacies.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
-
Private patios are planted with succulents and shaded by native trees, while the center of the property is anchored by a sunken dipping pool and communal fire pit perfect for lingering evenings and slow conversations.—
Michaela Trimble,
Vogue,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The deal was extended for 90 days, as the companies await regulatory approval.—
Dawn Chmielewski,
USA Today,
24 Apr. 2025
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He was taken into custody Wednesday and remains in the Ocean County jail awaiting a detention hearing, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said in a post on Facebook.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Whether cooking for Hollywood stars or crafting simple dishes for his audience, Arya remained grounded in the belief that true success comes from being real, not manufactured.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2025
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On Saturday morning, a trail of blood remained on the 19th floor of the apartment building where the woman was shot.—
Emma Seiwell,
New York Daily News,
26 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wait.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wait. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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