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

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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
Make sure the tires reconnect with the road - During the skid, wait until the tires reconnect with the road and then gently straighten the wheels to regain control. — Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 11 July 2026 Perhaps those attacking qualities were always there, lying dormant and waiting to be unlocked. — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 11 July 2026
Noun
After a yearlong wait for a new state budget, the North Carolina General Assembly finalized details on the $34 billion plan this week, including raises for thousands of state employees. — Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 2 July 2026 Dodgers skipper Don Mattingly then challenged the call at the plate, but that call stood after another wait of 1 minute, 34 seconds. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for wait
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wait
  1. stay
  2. delay
  3. linger
  4. await
  5. remain
Verb
  • Some also face rarer conditions that affect not only nighttime sleep but also the ability to stay awake and alert during the day.
    — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 8 July 2026
  • If any member of the family is starting to feel under the weather, whip up a bowl of comforting chicken soup with lemons and carrots to help everyone stay healthy for the rest of the week.
    — Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 8 July 2026
Definition of stay
Noun
  • As more carriers and airports report improvements in areas such as delay reduction, fuel savings and aircraft utilization, confidence is growing.
    — Christiaan Hen, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • Lawsuits alleging there were design errors in the signature bridge arches caused 18 months of delay.
    — Jessica Lipscomb, Miami Herald, 10 July 2026
Definition of delay
Verb
  • FireSat will help incident commanders get better information more quickly, and, unlike fire-spotting aircraft, the satellites can linger over a fire for days or weeks and aren’t hampered by high winds or smoke.
    — Eric Niiler, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • The severe weather threat will linger for parts of the mid-Atlantic on Sunday, stretching from northern Virginia into southern New Jersey, with cities like Richmond, DC, Baltimore and Philly in the threat zone once again.
    — Jon Haworth, ABC News, 5 July 2026
Definition of linger
Verb
  • Grand Theft Auto 6 fans eagerly await a third trailer ahead of its November 19, 2026 release on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • Thilly has been released from custody and awaits a court appearance.
    — Greta Cross, USA Today, 10 July 2026
Definition of await
Verb
  • Still, the pieces of ceiling trim dedicated to the pillars of courage and trust remained missing, a nod perhaps to the traits most easily lost when disaster strikes – and most needed to rebuild.
    — Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • There’s enough cash on hand for Rhaenyra to administer the Seven Kingdoms for a fortnight, and no one remaining from the old regime — not Alicent, not Orwyle — knows where Lannister hid the rest of the ingots.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 6 July 2026
Definition of remain

Phrases Containing wait

Browse Nearby Words

waists
wait
waited
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Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on wait

Nglish: Translation of wait for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about wait

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