as in stays
to remain in place in readiness or expectation of something
please wait here, and we'll seat you shortly
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in delays
an instance or period of being prevented from going about one's business
there was a long wait for the manager to come and help us
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 waits
FOXNews.com,
26 June 2026
Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust’s portfolio.
—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
26 June 2026
And while the work waits, the people it was meant to serve wait, too.
—
Annette Logan-Parker,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2026
Long waits and staffing shortages are creating headaches for customers at Denver Department of Motor Vehicles offices.
—
Jasmine Arenas,
CBS News,
25 June 2026
After a wildfire, the optimist waits patiently for the eventual return of squirrels, birds and other forest residents.
—
The Los Angeles Times,
Mercury News,
18 June 2026
Another patient, who asked to remain anonymous, reported recent delays in imaging analysis and longer waits to see subspecialists related to breast cancer care.
—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 June 2026
As the Miami Heat waits for a final answer from the Milwaukee Bucks on Giannis Antetokounmpo, the start of the NBA Draft nears.
—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
18 June 2026
While certainly luxe for its location, the focus is still on the adventure that waits just outside.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 June 2026
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
25 June 2026
At its core, Megawheels believes that children should not be stuck on the sidelines while the outdoors waits.
—
New Atlas,
23 June 2026
Earlier this year, US Travel Association data showed visa interview waits exceeding 12 months in markets including India, Mexico, and Colombia.
—
Bailey Berg,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 June 2026
From a clinical perspective, these shortages have real consequences — long waits, days in an emergency room waiting for a psychiatric bed to open and conditions that worsen while people fall through the cracks.
—
Cathryn Nacario,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 June 2026
Ryerson and Norway aren’t the only ones who will see their long waits end when the largest, most complex World Cup in history kicks off Thursday in Mexico City.
—
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
Fox News Digital was among the media pool waiting around MSG, and can confirm the waits will likely be long with the enhanced security that involves Secret Service, TSA and likely more when fans will be allowed in the building.
—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
8 June 2026
Make a reservation for dinner—waits can be long during the high summer season.
—
Robert Annis,
Midwest Living,
7 June 2026
Visitors can make a free same-day reservation for shorter entry waits or wait in a typically longer standby line.
—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
31 May 2026
Verb
Continue reading … Tune in the country waits for high-stakes rulings from the Supreme Court, including its looming birthright citizenship decision.
—
FOXNews.com,
26 June 2026
Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust’s portfolio.
—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
26 June 2026
And while the work waits, the people it was meant to serve wait, too.
—
Annette Logan-Parker,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2026
Long waits and staffing shortages are creating headaches for customers at Denver Department of Motor Vehicles offices.
—
Jasmine Arenas,
CBS News,
25 June 2026
After a wildfire, the optimist waits patiently for the eventual return of squirrels, birds and other forest residents.
—
The Los Angeles Times,
Mercury News,
18 June 2026
Another patient, who asked to remain anonymous, reported recent delays in imaging analysis and longer waits to see subspecialists related to breast cancer care.
—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 June 2026
As the Miami Heat waits for a final answer from the Milwaukee Bucks on Giannis Antetokounmpo, the start of the NBA Draft nears.
—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
18 June 2026
While certainly luxe for its location, the focus is still on the adventure that waits just outside.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 June 2026
Noun
Powell said China has such operations lined up and planned well in advance and waits for such triggering events.
—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
25 June 2026
At its core, Megawheels believes that children should not be stuck on the sidelines while the outdoors waits.
—
New Atlas,
23 June 2026
Earlier this year, US Travel Association data showed visa interview waits exceeding 12 months in markets including India, Mexico, and Colombia.
—
Bailey Berg,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 June 2026
From a clinical perspective, these shortages have real consequences — long waits, days in an emergency room waiting for a psychiatric bed to open and conditions that worsen while people fall through the cracks.
—
Cathryn Nacario,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 June 2026
Ryerson and Norway aren’t the only ones who will see their long waits end when the largest, most complex World Cup in history kicks off Thursday in Mexico City.
—
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
Fox News Digital was among the media pool waiting around MSG, and can confirm the waits will likely be long with the enhanced security that involves Secret Service, TSA and likely more when fans will be allowed in the building.
—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
8 June 2026
Make a reservation for dinner—waits can be long during the high summer season.
—
Robert Annis,
Midwest Living,
7 June 2026
Visitors can make a free same-day reservation for shorter entry waits or wait in a typically longer standby line.
—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
31 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waits
Verb
-
The partner who honors their own limits stays honest.
-
Offer a raincheck so your energy returns and goodwill stays intact.
Noun
-
Common travel problems include flight delays, lost luggage, and unexpected hotel issues.
-
Local media reported the clashes erupted because of frustrations over the delays in the migrants' returning home.
Verb
-
The sisters have reportedly made efforts to remain active within the royal family, but a sense of distance lingers.
-
And even then, that heat would be short-lived if the trough lingers around with cooler air to come.
Verb
-
Yet the public reckoning with anti-Zionism still awaits its moment.
-
Quispe leads us to the adobe home of Doña Conchi, our local host for the morning, where breakfast awaits.
Verb
-
But the fear of being snatched by ICE agents remains, Neel said.
-
But much of the repressive and corrupt structure in place during Maduro’s reign remains, with no concrete date set for democratic presidential elections.
Cite this Entry
“Waits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waits. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
