as in delay
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as in staying
to remain in place in readiness or expectation of something
please wait here, and we'll seat you shortly
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Recent Examples of waiting
Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 24 Mar. 2026
Even in making the assumption that an offense that sat dormant for too long last year will be jump-started by Brandon Nimmo, by a healthy Evan Carter, by a star-in-waiting in Wyatt Langford, this rotation has to be one of the league’s best for Texas to stand a chance.
—Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas Morning News, 23 Mar. 2026
The Rockies will lean on veteran starters to start 2026, while the club’s hopeful ace-in-waiting bides his time in the bullpen.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 22 Mar. 2026
The Justice Department’s antitrust division shortened the standard 30-day waiting period and then notified the broadcast companies, a department spokesman confirmed.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 20 Mar. 2026
The transaction passed the DOJ waiting period without any pushback, though regulators in international markets are still to weigh in.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2026
They're designed more like a waiting area than a backseat.
—Charles Singh, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
Each Travelive guest receives VIP assistance in airports and ports – being met at jetway, assisted with luggage and breezed through security with no waiting.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Mar. 2026
As Moyes attests, there are small improvements that can be made — at home and on the road — but the fact that Everton’s boss is disappointed with a loss against the champions-in-waiting shows how close his side was to providing the perfect away performance.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
Hunter Sowards, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
But in 2019, fire officials shifted the protocol to waiting until a call went through a triage analysis.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
The recovery ended more than three days of waiting for the anguished Montes family, who live about four blocks from the Deep River crash scene.
—Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Smith left the building and then left in a car, declining to answer questions from reporters waiting outside.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2026
Stumpy was one of the trees cleared for the renovations, but Stumpy clones live on, waiting to be planted when the work is done.
—ABC News, 26 Mar. 2026
With 90% of CCZ species still waiting for names, the work is far from finished.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
One of them, Jorge Torrealba, was waiting to enter the courtroom to draw Nicolás Maduro.
—Michael Rios, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026
Because there is a real editor waiting for my manuscript, the book is not-yet-finished, rather than unfinished.
—Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
Noun
Lamb’s string of town halls and other public events has convinced many in the party that his tour is more of a Senate campaign-in-waiting.
—Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 24 Mar. 2026
Even in making the assumption that an offense that sat dormant for too long last year will be jump-started by Brandon Nimmo, by a healthy Evan Carter, by a star-in-waiting in Wyatt Langford, this rotation has to be one of the league’s best for Texas to stand a chance.
—Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas Morning News, 23 Mar. 2026
The Rockies will lean on veteran starters to start 2026, while the club’s hopeful ace-in-waiting bides his time in the bullpen.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 22 Mar. 2026
The Justice Department’s antitrust division shortened the standard 30-day waiting period and then notified the broadcast companies, a department spokesman confirmed.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 20 Mar. 2026
The transaction passed the DOJ waiting period without any pushback, though regulators in international markets are still to weigh in.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2026
They're designed more like a waiting area than a backseat.
—Charles Singh, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
Each Travelive guest receives VIP assistance in airports and ports – being met at jetway, assisted with luggage and breezed through security with no waiting.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Mar. 2026
As Moyes attests, there are small improvements that can be made — at home and on the road — but the fact that Everton’s boss is disappointed with a loss against the champions-in-waiting shows how close his side was to providing the perfect away performance.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
Verb
Long Beach father Rhett Pascual isn't losing hope despite waiting for weeks to be put on the waiting list to receive a life-saving heart transplant.
—Hunter Sowards, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
But in 2019, fire officials shifted the protocol to waiting until a call went through a triage analysis.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
The recovery ended more than three days of waiting for the anguished Montes family, who live about four blocks from the Deep River crash scene.
—Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Smith left the building and then left in a car, declining to answer questions from reporters waiting outside.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2026
Stumpy was one of the trees cleared for the renovations, but Stumpy clones live on, waiting to be planted when the work is done.
—ABC News, 26 Mar. 2026
With 90% of CCZ species still waiting for names, the work is far from finished.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
One of them, Jorge Torrealba, was waiting to enter the courtroom to draw Nicolás Maduro.
—Michael Rios, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026
Because there is a real editor waiting for my manuscript, the book is not-yet-finished, rather than unfinished.
—Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waiting
Noun
-
This time, however, travelers are already facing long lines and delays due to the ongoing partial government shutdown, which has left thousands of TSA workers without pay.—
De'Anthony Taylor,
Baltimore Sun,
28 Mar. 2026
-
If there had been even a 30-second delay, Wilson might be alive, Pastor Ronald Blackwood told Wilson’s family and friends last Saturday at his funeral service at the Star of David Funeral Chapel in North Lauderdale.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Ford is also staying optimistic about the potential outcome of the conflict, focusing on what could be a huge economic opportunity if hostilities end and relations between Iran and the Gulf states improve.—
Matthew Martin,
semafor.com,
30 Mar. 2026
-
On Monday, Schottenheimer was asked about staying connected to players, particularly Prescott, in the offseason.—
Calvin Watkins,
Dallas Morning News,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Trimmer understands that a strategic delay is not procrastination, but a patient wait until the situation clarifies itself.—
David Brooks,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Raking and Disposing of Leaves in the Fall Any home gardener who likes indulging in procrastination will love to hear this one.—
Tessa Cooper,
The Spruce,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
While awaiting prosecution for the Mahany Park shooting, Abril escaped from Placer County sheriff’s custody while receiving medical treatment at Sutter Roseville Medical Center.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Cody Laweryson, who had thrown a scoreless fourth inning, had finished his arm care routine and was awaiting news on his fate.—
Betsy Helfand,
Twin Cities,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Her hesitation reflects a broader moment of turbulence across the travel industry – one driven not by a single crisis, but by a convergence of them.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Some Republicans who could cast key votes on this are expressing hesitation or outright opposition.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Continue on to The Shed Distillery, where Drumshanbo gin is distilled among forest-edge botanicals; the tasting room and café are worth lingering in.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Mar. 2026
-
For many in South Florida, the possibility of compensation remains uncertain — with major questions lingering over eligibility, funding, and whether any agreement would require significant political concessions.—
Ivan Taylor,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Florida shooting guard Xavian Lee’s indecision culminated in a coast-to-coast sequence that ended in a head-scratching turnover instead of a potential game-winner.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
23 Mar. 2026
-
In Nett’s case, announce and then roll back announcements of a new album that’s been prone to leaks and sandbagged by indecision.—
Hattie Lindert,
Pitchfork,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Gradually drizzle ¼ cup egg mixture into broth, concentrating in a single area; repeat with remaining egg mixture in ¼-cupfuls in different areas.—
Rebecca Firkser,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Charlotte only has 10 games remaining.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Waiting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waiting. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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