WAIT (FOR) Synonyms: 23 Similar and Opposite Words

wait (for)

verb

Definition of wait (for)

as in to hope (for)

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wait (for)

expect

Verb

The company’s future guidance was so much bigger than expected that Stifel analyst Jonathan Siegmann could hardly believe it.

— Jim Edwards, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
When prices picked up this year, no one expected Chevron or ExxonMobil to suddenly drill more in the US.

— Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of expect

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.

Browse Nearby Words

waiters

wait (for)

waiting

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Wait (for).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wait%20%28for%29. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of wait (for)

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

disparate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

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

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

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

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes