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

After several years of waiting, Ahn and Choi made a proof-of-concept video to help attract new financing. — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2026 The platform is wheelchair accessible but does not have shelter, bathrooms, water fountains or a waiting area. — Eva Flowe october 9, Charlotte Observer, 9 Oct. 2026 And after nearly half a century of waiting, finally, a clear visual of the legendary Almaz space cannon (left), along with my circa 2016 virtual recreation. — Micah Hanks, Space.com, 9 Oct. 2026 There’s the plush seating area for makeup, hair, and comfortable waiting, of course, but there’s also a bathroom replete with outlets for styling tools and with multiple sinks. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026 Some experts point to worsening public health since the 2008 financial crisis, citing factors such as growing obesity, long hospital waiting times, the cost-of-living crisis and other social causes. — The Week Uk, TheWeek, 4 Oct. 2026 Poised to play as the primary reserve to Davion Mitchell, Smith again finds himself in a waiting game. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 1 Oct. 2026 Good work design therefore asks which dependencies improve the decision and which merely create waiting, meetings and escalation. — Samuel Rodrigues, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026 Like the vice presidency, the LG is at its core a position of waiting, either for those instances when the top person is away or indisposed or if the time ever comes when the chief executive is unable to continue in their duties. — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 28 Sep. 2026

Verb

To support Constant’s production, Shopkorn approaches their relationship in a more old-school model, sending her money as a stipend instead of waiting for a sale to go through and split it 50-50 as is now the norm. — Hikmat Mohammed, ARTnews.com, 14 Oct. 2026 Organizations that understand this aren’t waiting for adoption to bubble up from the bottom. — Ryoji Sekido, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026 When haul trucks sit idle waiting to recharge, every minute of lost production directly erodes operating margins. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2026 Among those of us waiting were journalists, influencers and fans who had traveled from other countries. — Franchesca Guim, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2026 Outside, a throng of revelers were waiting to navigate the same journey as Williams, McRae, and their respective entourages. — Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 13 Oct. 2026 Use Workforce Data To Spot Future Skill Gaps AI isn’t waiting for job architecture to catch up. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026 For years, Angelina Jolie has been waiting to move out of the country and travel the world. — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 6 Oct. 2026 Despite all the talk and handwringing over AI, companies, including fashion brands, are largely still waiting to see a return on all their new investment in the transformative technology. — Evan Clark, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for waiting

Noun

The combined sewage-overflow tanks that are supposed to divert sewage from running into the canal won’t be complete until 2029 — a seven-year delay that might require parts of the canal to be re-dredged again to remove the contamination.

— Kim Velsey, Curbed, 9 Oct. 2026
Additional concerns include technological obsolescence, refinancing risk, construction delays, and the need for continuing capital expenditure.

— Kevin Williams, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of delay

Verb

For guests staying longer, the hotel can arrange activities including truffle hunts, seasonal wine harvest experiences, and tours of nearby towns and historical sites.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026
Right now, Character Technologies is staying tight-lipped about which assets might sell, with a spokesperson only reiterating prior statements from the company’s press release and court filings to Ars.

— Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of staying

Verb

Two hundred cars were on site, variously charging, awaiting their turns to charge, and enjoying the ministrations of human maintenance workers.

— Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
Oscar Belgal, 28, is currently being held in custody and awaiting court appearances following the incident.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of awaiting

Noun

At first, it’s seen in Soulan’s hesitation at accepting children from other villages to his class — then in his rage at his mother for feeding guests at the potential expense of the children’s meals.

— Kambole Campbell, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
The new work is a radical take on aging and femininity, an uncut hit of Cindy Sherman—despite, or maybe even because of, her initial hesitation.

— Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of hesitation

Verb

While Beverly Hills and West Hollywood bounced back after the pandemic, Santa Monica continues to struggle with retail vacancies and lingering economic woes.

— Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026
The rich tomato sauce brought plenty of flavor, the Italian sausage added a savory bite and the Calabrian peppers gave the dish a lingering heat without overwhelming everything else.

— Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of lingering

Noun

After days of indecision, NASCAR disciplined seven people who participated in the attack on young racing star Corey Heim in front of a concession stand at Martinsville Speedway shortly after the ValleyStar Credit Union 300 on Saturday.

— Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026
Alex wants to hold on and let go at once, and her indecision spirals into a familiar yet attuned portrait of middle-age upheaval.

— Ben Travers, IndieWire, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of indecision

Verb

The Hawks ruled out veteran guard CJ McCollum with a nose contusion ahead of Monday night’s game, opening the door for the rookie guard to run with the remaining available starters.

— Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Hope arose that the Daryl Powell settlement in January would lead to a quick resolution of the remaining lawsuits filed against the iconic Manhattan church.

— Luke Cyphers, Rolling Stone, 7 Oct. 2026