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

The carrier said the average waiting time of Gemini Cooperation vessels docking at Shanghai jumped from an average of approximately 24 to 48 hours as of May 22, to a 60-hour waiting average by June 30. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 8 July 2026 Leandro Trossard got the assist, bending a perfect back-post cross from the end line to his waiting teammate. — Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026 Eventually, one by one, the distinguished company slipped back into waiting motorcades. — Bryan West, USA Today, 7 July 2026 Another source of energy capacity is emerging – one that does not require waiting years for permits, financing and construction. — Kathleen “katie” McGinty, Fortune, 6 July 2026 Unlike the Heat’s waiting game with James in 2014, the Heat’s 2026-27 roster this time is largely set, with the acquisitions of Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis to be made official Monday, as will be the free-agent signing of Tim Hardaway Jr. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 5 July 2026 This would become an iconic look for her; the royal-in-waiting made the cover of People with this look. — Katherine J Igoe, InStyle, 1 July 2026 Shekarchi filed suit in Superior Court last week to block the Ethics Commission from investigating whether his bid to join the Supreme Court directly from the legislature violates the revolving door law's one-year waiting period. — Patrick Anderson, The Providence Journal, 30 June 2026 They were quickly given an IV and shuttled into a waiting ambulance for further medical attention. — Gonzalo Zegarra, CNN Money, 29 June 2026

Verb

As of Wednesday, more than 100 additional shoring jacks had been delivered to the site and were waiting to be installed. — Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 9 July 2026 Much of Wall Street is waiting for an outcome around tariffs. — Brian Sullivan, CNBC, 9 July 2026 Museums, cultural institutions and designers are proposing projects rather than waiting for invitations. — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 9 July 2026 All are relatively obvious solutions that were just waiting for our leaders to have the drive to enact them. — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 9 July 2026 Ukraine's strikes on oil refineries and other infrastructure across Russia has triggered a widespread fuel crisis with gasoline shortages and fuel rationing reported in multiple regions and drivers waiting for hours to fill their tanks. — ABC News, 9 July 2026 Ukraine’s drone strikes on oil refineries and other infrastructure across Russia have triggered a widespread fuel crisis with gasoline shortages and rationing in multiple regions and motorists waiting for hours to fill their tanks. — Illia Novikov, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026 Golden State, like the rest of the NBA, is waiting to see where James lands for his 24th season while turning 42 in December. — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 9 July 2026 That means Tatum, her childhood best friend, has to be there, despite taking a cancer screening earlier in the week and waiting to hear the results on Monday. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 9 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for waiting

Noun

As more carriers and airports report improvements in areas such as delay reduction, fuel savings and aircraft utilization, confidence is growing.

— Christiaan Hen, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Lawsuits alleging there were design errors in the signature bridge arches caused 18 months of delay.

— Jessica Lipscomb, Miami Herald, 10 July 2026

Definition of delay

Verb

The spa is perfectly located to explore the local hill towns and vineyards by complimentary e-bike—one of the immense pleasures of staying here.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 July 2026
The right expansion serves existing customers better while staying true to the values that built your reputation in the first place.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of staying

Noun

Overthinking and procrastination are two of the habits people confess to most readily and blame on themselves most harshly, and two of the habits most often misread.

— Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
But those days of procrastination are coming to an end, and some lawmakers are facing up to that reality.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 28 June 2026

Definition of procrastination

Verb

As this July Fourth approached, FOUND on the Guadalupe River still had about 1,800 items awaiting reunification, about half of them photographs.

— Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
Their son, Nick Reiner, was soon arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder; he is currently being held without bail while awaiting trial in Los Angeles.

— Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 6 July 2026

Definition of awaiting

Verb

This season, our editors are savoring the activities that take us back to some of our favorite childhood days—jumping off docks, sliding down twisty pool slides, and lingering outside long into the evening.

— Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 4 July 2026
Any strange or lingering foot symptoms, though, could be a sign of a bigger health condition.

— Erica Sloan, Washington Post, 3 July 2026

Definition of lingering

Noun

Andy Burnham, Britain’s soon-to-be prime minister, wants an array of bold new policies to attract voters who have grown tired of a Labour government mired in indecision and political backbiting.

— Philip Aldrick, Fortune, 28 June 2026
At first, the Jell-O was also a way to express vulnerability, indecision and hesitation.

— Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 26 June 2026

Definition of indecision

Verb

The remaining travelers are from the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, among other nations.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
After the update, College Football Points can no longer be applied in Dynasty or Road to Glory, though any remaining balance stays in the account and can be spent elsewhere in the game.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026

Definition of remaining

Cite this Entry

Style

“Waiting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waiting. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of waiting

noun

verb

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