WAITING Synonyms: 69 Similar and Opposite Words

waiting 1 of 2

noun

as in delay

Related Words

Relevance

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

Its 14-day waiting period applies to every condition, even knee injuries and hip dysplasia, which often carry six-month waits elsewhere. — Matt Richardson, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026 New residents have a five-year waiting period before receiving the benefit. — Michelle Fox, CNBC, 1 Nov. 2026 Hard Rock Bet is offering new users the chance to bet $5 and get $500 in No Sweat Bets, with a token waiting for you every day for 10 days. — Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 Nov. 2026 For now, fans and everyone else in the baseball ecosystem are in the midst of a months-long waiting game until paychecks are on the line. — Evan Drellich, New York Times, 29 Oct. 2026 And now another waiting game, not for the launch but whether LIV survives. — ABC News, 27 Oct. 2026 Price alerts do the waiting for you, pinging when a listing hits your number. — Ashley Lynch, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026 Up to 20% of rounds are stopped before eggs are ever retrieved, which means more waiting and starting over. — Katherine Pukinskis, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 2026 That’s a very long, anxious waiting period and is inevitable due to a lack of experts to conduct and interpret test results. — Torie Bosch, STAT, 24 Oct. 2026

Verb

The flexible grant money will allow the organization to initiate projects sooner without waiting for government reimbursements, Morrison-North said. — Charlotte Observer, 11 Nov. 2026 According to a compilation of both ports’ daily rail reports from The Dwell, the Port of Los Angeles had 23,716 import containers waiting for on-dock rail in its Friday report, with 8,172 of them waiting nine days or longer. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 10 Nov. 2026 Garage doesn’t own the trucks, and there’s no lot full of fire engines waiting for buyers. — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 10 Nov. 2026 Those hoping that the General Managers Meetings would bring clarity to the status of the Yankees’ hitting staff will have to keep waiting. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 10 Nov. 2026 SoundThinking had been among several respondents to the RFP waiting to hear about plans for a contract award. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 10 Nov. 2026 As of this interview, McBrain is waiting for Maiden members’ reactions to his book. — Gary Graff, Billboard, 10 Nov. 2026 Nor was the girl, nor were any of the treasures still waiting to be plundered. — CBS News, 10 Nov. 2026 Hensel, a former property manager, then went into his home, retrieved a pistol and walked into the street waiting for Williams to return before opening fire. — Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Nov. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for waiting

Noun

The Flames took a 3-2 lead to the third period, but when Matt Coronato was sent off for delay of game 17 seconds in, the Ducks’ red-hot power play took advantage with Carlsson tying it at 55 seconds.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026
His departure comes as the investigation has shown signs of faltering amid a spate of staff turnovers and delays.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of delay

Verb

Known for his confidence and aggressive playing style, Sears says his father has taught him the importance of staying humble and grounded despite his success.

— CBS News, CBS News, 11 Nov. 2026
The operation left essentially the same racket in charge, with Maduro ally Delcy Rodríguez staying as interim president.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 11 Nov. 2026

Definition of staying

Noun

Breaking the pattern starts with recognizing some of the most common procrastination traps.

— Alexandra Tirado Oropeza, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
According to Singhal, common signs include procrastination, impatience, feeling overwhelmed, and putting off decisions altogether.

— Kriti Kumar, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of procrastination

Noun

Caplin News / Florida International University Part of his hesitation came from questioning whether his vote could influence an election, particularly in presidential races decided through the Electoral College.

— Sabrina Lozano, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
In the fourth quarter against Knicks, Wilson ran up the court in transition, collected a pass at the top of the key and fired off another 3 with the same signature lack of hesitation.

— Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of hesitation

Verb

The results raised long-standing concerns over the quality of work and whether the lingering contamination could present risks to the residents.

— Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
An upper-level low moving overhead could produce a few lingering showers north of I-78, especially in the Poconos and far northern New Jersey, but Philadelphia and most of South Jersey should stay dry.

— CBS News, CBS News, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of lingering

Noun

In other words, this is a call to trade comfortable indecision (Libra) for a serious plan of action (Capricorn).

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of indecision

Verb

Before planning around the message, ask for the time or remaining step that matters.

— Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Nov. 2026
The Bulls hoisted the white flag with two minutes and three seconds remaining, rotating their entire secondary unit into the game to wind down the loss.

— Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 12 Nov. 2026