WAITING Synonyms: 69 Similar and Opposite Words

waiting 1 of 2

noun

as in delay

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Dissimilar Words

waiting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of wait

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

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

Noun

Many plans also have a waiting period of about 30 days before the first claim can be filed. — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 14 Sep. 2026 The exit polls set off jubilation at the Social Democrats’ election gathering, but the mood shifted to quiet waiting as the results indicated a closer race. — Kostya Manenkov, Los Angeles Times, 13 Sep. 2026 But faster measurements could shorten these waiting periods, potentially increase efficiency and reduce costs. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 11 Sep. 2026 In real terms, that means shorter exposure times to pull a clean image out of a faint galaxy or nebula and fewer hours standing in the cold waiting for enough photons to hit the sensor. — New Atlas, 9 Sep. 2026 After months of waiting, Vynatheya chose to homeschool her older daughter and toddler while caring for her baby at home. — Kayla Huynh, jsonline.com, 9 Sep. 2026 For now, the next few weeks are a waiting game as the little girl remains in quarantine. — Mamie Bah, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026 Long waiting times and inconsistent responses reduce customer satisfaction, even when businesses have reliable support staff. — Salman Shahid, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2026 The devastating waiting that defines infertility is depicted amid scenes of pastoral beauty, and distance. — Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2026

Verb

Maud Ogilvie smiled amiably at Flynn, as if waiting for a challenge. — Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026 There is a lineup of countries waiting to get in, with nine countries currently recognized as candidates for EU membership. — Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2026 But there is nonetheless angst from fans about waiting this whole time simply to name an interim GM. — Max Bultman, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026 In today’s sports culture, the women on the sidelines aren’t waiting to be seen. — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 15 Sep. 2026 The company is waiting to get a permit from the city to start taking customers to and from the San Diego International Airport. — Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Sep. 2026 Alpha Three is waiting for Alpha Six (Riley Keogh), who suddenly materializes out of nowhere, dressed in an identical leather jacket, jeans and boots combo. — Damon Wise, Deadline, 14 Sep. 2026 There may never be a goldmine of job-ready candidates waiting to be found. — Matthew Darienzo, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2026 Lux is drawn back to the old pictures and voice notes on his phone, while Mille stares at the WhatsApp chat with her sister as if waiting for a response. — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for waiting

Noun

That reduced security screening to a single line with long delays.

— GENE JOHNSON, Arkansas Online, 12 Sep. 2026
This week was not the first time Arsenal have experienced severe delays before a European away game.

— Art de Roché, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of delay

Verb

The bearded keystone that Prieto rescued from 366 sits in the corner of his studio awaiting a custom commission.

— Jill Singer, Curbed, 14 Sep. 2026
Bryce Harper and Trea Turner stayed put on second and third, respectively, with two outs, awaiting anything that could move them forward during Sunday’s eighth inning.

— Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of awaiting

Noun

As a kid, three chickens might be divided among the children; hesitation meant going hungry.

— Stephen Rodrick, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2026
While Presley made appearances on The Milton Berle Show and The Steve Allen Show, among many others, Sullivan had hesitations about platforming the provocative singer, whose dance moves thrilled some audiences while offending others.

— Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of hesitation

Verb

Still, there was a cloud of public doubt lingering over the event.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
For evening observers, this apparition has been more frustrating than triumphant, with Venus lingering low in the glow of twilight instead of climbing into a commanding position.

— Joe Rao, Space.com, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of lingering

Noun

They are forced to confront their indecision about becoming parents when their divorced friend (Kate Berlant) and her daughter move in with them.

— Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2026
True commitment allows strategies to develop and succeed, as indecision hinders progress.

— Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of indecision

Verb

The remaining borrowings are much less strategic and, in effect, are a hangover of the awful financial position the club found itself in a few years ago.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
American anti-immigrant politics consequently differs from the European version, remaining more closely bound to the Monroe Doctrine and its vision of hemispheric control.

— Faisal Devji, Time, 11 Sep. 2026