WAITS Synonyms: 38 Similar and Opposite Words

waits 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of wait

as in stays

to remain in place in readiness or expectation of something please wait here, and we'll seat you shortly

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waits

2 of 2

noun

plural of wait

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

Verb

Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. — Alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 11 July 2026 With a chatbot, the user types a complete thought and hits send, and waits. — Ran Inbar, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026 On the walls, a few pots hang from a copper rod, a dinner bell waits to be jingled, and an ancient clock keeps time. — Elazar Sontag, Washington Post, 2 July 2026 The Real Cost of Waiting Only one in four adults who could benefit from a hearing aid has ever used one, and the average person waits nine years after a diagnosis before doing anything about it. — Allison Palmer july 1, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026 The average person waits nine years after a diagnosis before doing anything about it, even as research ties untreated hearing loss to depression, isolation, falls and higher dementia risk. — Allison Palmer july 1, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026 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

Noun

However, by the end of the night, the streets surrounding the Presidio and Marina neighborhoods became gridlocked as thousands of commuters attempted to leave the area, resulting in hours-long waits. — Noe Padilla, USA Today, 10 July 2026 This initiative aims to reward frequent users with valuable experiences, like skipping long waits at hot spots. — Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026 Less than three years ago, revolving sushi restaurant Kura Sushi opened on Kansas City’s Country Club Plaza, eliciting long waits for its video game-style service. — Jenna Thompson july 8, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2026 Telehealth has become a critical access point, with roughly 1 in 4 Medicare patients using telemedicine services in 2024, often to bypass long waits. — Frantz M. Berthaud, STAT, 7 July 2026 Healthcare providers are always a reliable resource for patients, but many Medicare beneficiaries face long waits for appointments with doctors. — Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 1 July 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for waits

Verb

Labeling the outside of the container ensures your household stays safe.

— Irina Butler, Boston Herald, 10 July 2026
Airbnb proved to be a popular alternative to traditional hotels, with offers like the World Cup bundle, which included free World Cup tickets with select Airbnb stays at an average price of $365 per night.

— Lily Wright, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026

Definition of stays

Noun

Taking an early morning flight can minimize the risk of delays, while later flights appeal to travelers who prefer to sleep in and arrive at their destination feeling refreshed and unhurried.

— Joey Skladany, Travel + Leisure, 10 July 2026
Vail Clark recommends borrowers start checking their options as soon as possible because processing delays are likely.

— Adriana Morga, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026

Definition of delays

Verb

While uncertainty lingers over improvements and timetables at LAX, the county’s second-busiest airport is on the brink of big changes.

— Christopher Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
After a stormy Fourth of July weekend, Baltimore will begin the week with unsettled weather as a slow-moving system lingers over the region.

— Baltimore Sun staff, Baltimore Sun, 6 July 2026

Definition of lingers

Verb

After a two-year process, the Diocese of Duluth awaits word from the Vatican on whether Monsignor Joseph Buh — a Slovenian immigrant to the region — could be Minnesota’s first saint, and the nation’s 12th.

— Vivian Wilson, Twin Cities, 8 July 2026
The Belgian federation awaits a decision and explanation from FIFA.

— Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026

Definition of awaits

Verb

Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images Europe’s defense industry remains fragmented and constrained by supply chains, bureaucracy, labor shortages and years of underinvestment.

— Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 6 July 2026
Small in size but big on personality, Little Spirit remains one of Atlanta’s most consistently delightful neighborhood cocktail bars.

— Blair Crosby, AJC.com, 5 July 2026