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
However, most teams wait till week two to sign veteran players to avoid the financial commitment. — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026 Reactions to the trailer online have ranged from enthusiasm to criticism of the character, to gripes that Cohen waited too long. — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2026
Noun
But even a short wait of this kind puts a tough strain on me. — Leslie E. Tassell, Outdoor Life, 27 Aug. 2026 At Ningbo, Gemini services were waiting an average of four to five days, while non-Gemini vessels were facing waits of three to six days, according to Hapag-Lloyd. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wait
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wait
  1. stay
  2. delay
  3. linger
  4. await
  5. remain
Verb
  • The intention is for the 18-year-old to return to Genk on loan for the 2026-27 season, but this is dependent on whether or not Liverpool No 2 Giorgi Mamardashvili stays beyond the deadline.
    — The Athletic UK Staff, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • In the clip, filmed at her 36th birthday party, Madix careens through a bar and lands directly onto her left cheek without attempting to break her fall; her hand is busy holding up her cocktail, which stays miraculously intact.
    — Anna Peele, Vanity Fair, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of stay
Noun
  • The watchdog warned that shipyard delays are expected to keep more submarines idle through 2030, creating additional costs and reducing the fleet’s operational capacity.
    — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Due to high traffic, the website is experiencing some technical delays.
    — Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of delay
Verb
  • Patterson, who turns 27 on Tuesday, has experience at guard and center, and the 49ers needed a backup at both spots considering Toth’s lingering concussion symptoms.
    — Matt Barrows, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Inside Fort Worth's Cowboy Coliseum, a historic 1908 indoor rodeo venue in the heart of the city's famous Stockyards, the gunpowdery smell of pyrotechnics lingers in the air.
    — Christine Lennon, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of linger
Verb
  • All Social Security recipients will receive their regular check in September, as many await news of the 2027 cost-of-living adjustment announcement.
    — Laura Daniella Sepulveda, AZCentral.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Saturday’s matchup seems likely, as his fitness level was quite good after not training for a few weeks while awaiting finalization of his transfer and visa.
    — Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of await
Verb
  • Following the closure of Farfetch, LVMH purchased a 60% majority stake in the brand in July 2021, while the remaining 40% remained the property of Abloh, who had become LV men’s creative director in 2018.
    — Luke Leitch, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The few remaining workers maintaining the plant, however, received those benefits upon ratification.
    — Jackie Charniga, Freep.com, 31 Aug. 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 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on wait

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about wait

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