Synonyms of waits

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stays
• lingers
• awaits
• remains
• bides
• holds on
• sits tight
• expects
• cools one's heels
• holds one's breath
• bides one's time
• hangs around
• tarries
• sticks around
• stands by
• anticipates
• watches (for)

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

• delays
• pauses
• holdups
• setbacks
• detentions
• postponements
• hesitations
• holding patterns
• respites
• detainments
• deferrals
• lags
• holdbacks
• deferments
• slowdowns
• reprieves
• foot-draggings

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rushes
• dispatches
• hastes
• promptitudes

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of waits

Verb

The other waits six years, and by the time the slower one moves, the gap is too wide to close. — Kerry Huang, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Nick excitedly waits for him at the train station, and takes him to meet his new friends. — Barry Levitt, Time, 17 July 2026

With a catheter inserted into a vein, intravenous tubing fitted and a syringe pump loaded and primed, the subject waits as the bed retracts until his brain is centered within the great coils of an MRI machine calibrated to map altered brain states. — Charles Moss, SPIN, 16 July 2026

Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust’s portfolio. — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 15 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

Noun

Earlier this year, long elevator waits meant many collectors reached the upper floors well after the VIP opening began, leaving some exhibitors with a slower start than those surrounding the pool. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 14 July 2026

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

Neither has the patient whose breast cancer demands a coordinated team of surgical, radiation, and medical oncologists but waits months before that team assembles. — Christopher P. Childers, STAT, 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

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