as in staying
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
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 waiting
Sam Blum, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
Requirements differ between states, with some requiring a one-week waiting period before someone qualifies for payments, the OPM said.
—Medora Lee, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
However, Toco’s 90-day waiting period is much longer than the usual 30-day period.
—Brian Sloan, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2025
For example, some states had call waiting times of hours, not minutes.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
But these days, the regulatory piece is actually starting to feel more attainable for many companies that have been playing the waiting game.
—Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2025
While Jovic’s situation is resolved, Heat guard Tyler Herro’s waiting game began Wednesday.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2025
Officers gave Steinbach first aid and took him to a waiting ambulance.
—Michelle Cruz, AZCentral.com, 29 Sep. 2025
Bauges said that based on the feedback the plans have received from residents and local agencies, the waiting seems to be the hardest part.
—Idaho Statesman, 29 Sep. 2025
Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
Others on Third Avenue are still waiting for housing.
—Ashley Hiruko, ProPublica, 6 Oct. 2025
Daria spotted the crying woman from the consulate, now in a pink bikini and a green mesh coverup, waiting her turn to leap onto the beach.
—Catherine Lacey, New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2025
My Bear mattress arrived compressed in a tall box that was waiting on my doorstep within 10 days of placing my order.
—Kristi Kellogg, Architectural Digest, 5 Oct. 2025
Although the area is still recovering in some ways, the townsfolk are ready and waiting for visitors, especially for the fall season.
—Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2025
And so, Vladimir and Estragon wearily choose to continue waiting, day in and day out.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 29 Sep. 2025
Hospital employees hid for several hours waiting for SWAT teams to escort them out, while procedures and treatments were postponed.
—Detroit Free Press, Freep.com, 28 Sep. 2025
Should Mayfield be unable to play, backup Teddy Bridgewater is waiting on the sidelines to step in and guide the team.
—Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
Verb
Every day was a waiting game to see whether one would be scheduled.
—Sam Blum, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
Requirements differ between states, with some requiring a one-week waiting period before someone qualifies for payments, the OPM said.
—Medora Lee, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
However, Toco’s 90-day waiting period is much longer than the usual 30-day period.
—Brian Sloan, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2025
For example, some states had call waiting times of hours, not minutes.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
But these days, the regulatory piece is actually starting to feel more attainable for many companies that have been playing the waiting game.
—Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2025
While Jovic’s situation is resolved, Heat guard Tyler Herro’s waiting game began Wednesday.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2025
Officers gave Steinbach first aid and took him to a waiting ambulance.
—Michelle Cruz, AZCentral.com, 29 Sep. 2025
Bauges said that based on the feedback the plans have received from residents and local agencies, the waiting seems to be the hardest part.
—Idaho Statesman, 29 Sep. 2025
Noun
Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium had been waiting for a moment like this.
—Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
Others on Third Avenue are still waiting for housing.
—Ashley Hiruko, ProPublica, 6 Oct. 2025
Daria spotted the crying woman from the consulate, now in a pink bikini and a green mesh coverup, waiting her turn to leap onto the beach.
—Catherine Lacey, New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2025
My Bear mattress arrived compressed in a tall box that was waiting on my doorstep within 10 days of placing my order.
—Kristi Kellogg, Architectural Digest, 5 Oct. 2025
Although the area is still recovering in some ways, the townsfolk are ready and waiting for visitors, especially for the fall season.
—Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2025
And so, Vladimir and Estragon wearily choose to continue waiting, day in and day out.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 29 Sep. 2025
Hospital employees hid for several hours waiting for SWAT teams to escort them out, while procedures and treatments were postponed.
—Detroit Free Press, Freep.com, 28 Sep. 2025
Should Mayfield be unable to play, backup Teddy Bridgewater is waiting on the sidelines to step in and guide the team.
—Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waiting
Verb
-
But staying relevant in the digital landscape, especially as AI enters the mix, is a must.—
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel,
jsonline.com,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Jovic’s challenge this season is staying healthy and carving out a consistent role in the Heat’s rotation after beginning last season as a starter, then being completely moved out of the rotation, and ultimately thriving in a sixth man role off the bench during the back half of the season.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The Pontifical Academies also warned that delay raises systemic risks (economic, social, and health related) echoing the investor logic that policy certainty lowers risk premia.—
Felicia Jackson,
Forbes.com,
3 Oct. 2025
-
That delay could expose Club name Boeing to sizable non-cash accounting charges.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Officials were previously awaiting toxicology results to determine whether the woman had been poisoned.—
Quinlan Bentley,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
1 Oct. 2025
-
On numerous occasions while awaiting decisions on his postconviction motions, Avery has mailed letters to the Wisconsin Court of Appeals and the state Supreme Court without attorney approval, asking for speedier decisions.—
Kelli Arseneau,
jsonline.com,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Having a place for your essentials (and having every essential in its place) can be the difference between a productive workday and a day of procrastination.—
Kristi Kellogg,
Architectural Digest,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Thriving amid this tumult requires embracing the cycle of struggle and rebirth; redefining your identity around core strengths and not titles, and setting goals that leave no room for procrastination.—
Maggie McGrath,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Some analysts predict the measures could push Tehran to take a tougher nuclear stance, but the lingering threat of US and Israeli attacks gives Iran’s leaders limited strategic flexibility.—
Semafor Events,
semafor.com,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Miss Molly still lives on, lingering at the foot of guest’s bed.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
As the title suggests, its cast was entirely composed of couples in which one party was ready to get hitched, and the other had hesitations.—
James Factora,
Them.,
3 Oct. 2025
-
However, lofty goals often lead to significant hesitation or avoidance.—
Alexa Mikhail,
Flow Space,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The remaining 10,000 had no income cap.—
Rachel Wegner,
Nashville Tennessean,
3 Oct. 2025
-
But Dortmund’s toughest tests are yet to come, with Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Inter among their remaining opponents.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Antetokounmpo’s expectation of competing for a championship has been a consistent theme in any discussion regarding his future, most notably through his indecision in the lead-up to signing his 2020 supermax extension and his 2023 interview with The New York Times’ Tania Ganguli.—
Eric Nehm,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Throughout her many times as a political candidate and office holder, Harris has been dogged by allegations of incompetence and indecision, fueled by anonymous quotes and unbelievably bad public appearances.—
Matt Fleming,
Oc Register,
28 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Waiting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waiting. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share