wait 1 of 2

verb

ˈwāt How to pronounce wait (audio)
Definition of waitnext
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

wait

2 of 2

noun

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

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 wait
Verb
The attack took place in a crowded medical building where soldiers were waiting for check-ups and vaccines. — Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 9 Oct. 2026 But the time required for the largest tankers to rest outside the strait waiting for crude deliveries from smaller vessels has effectively created a tanker shortage. — Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 9 Oct. 2026
Noun
There are dark warnings of the ultimate fate lying in wait for the human race because of it. — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026 If previous All-Star Games in Kansas City are an indication, the wait for the midsummer classic would be no longer than three years. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wait
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wait
  1. stay
  2. delay
  3. linger
  4. await
  5. remain
Verb
  • For guests staying longer, the hotel can arrange activities including truffle hunts, seasonal wine harvest experiences, and tours of nearby towns and historical sites.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026
  • At the first all-crew meeting, Kerry warns everyone to stay vigilant.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of stay
Noun
  • The combined sewage-overflow tanks that are supposed to divert sewage from running into the canal won’t be complete until 2029 — a seven-year delay that might require parts of the canal to be re-dredged again to remove the contamination.
    — Kim Velsey, Curbed, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Additional concerns include technological obsolescence, refinancing risk, construction delays, and the need for continuing capital expenditure.
    — Kevin Williams, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of delay
Verb
  • Wallace lingered in the car for a few minutes once slowing to a stop, though — long enough for health workers to unload a stretcher that Wallace ultimately didn’t use.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 11 Oct. 2026
  • While Beverly Hills and West Hollywood bounced back after the pandemic, Santa Monica continues to struggle with retail vacancies and lingering economic woes.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of linger
Verb
  • With the unanswered questions around Adelaide’s motives, some have compared her to a Professor X of the Stephen King onscreen universe, while awaiting answers in a potential Season 2.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2026
  • More than 10,000 pumpkins, a corn maze, axe throwing, Instagram photo ops, fortune tellers, carnival games, and treats like apple doughnuts await at Chicago’s largest Halloween festival.
    — Michelle Mastro, Midwest Living, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of await
Verb
  • Plans to eradicate the remaining invasive mammals is already underway.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Digital sales doubled in 2020 but remained a small percentage of the business.
    — Phil Wahba, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of remain

Phrases Containing wait

Browse Nearby Words

waists
wait
waited
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wait.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wait. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on wait

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about wait

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All