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
Alexa Lomonaco,
CNBC,
3 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
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
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
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
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,
3 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
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
Noun
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waits
Verb
-
The posh pup has a home in the lobby and outside the front entrance, and sits (and stays) at the ready for belly rubs.
-
Any python-nabbing excursion requires adequate prep work to ensure everyone stays safe—and actually hunts the proper animals.
Noun
-
Sarah Buck, Chicago Driving has become harder The rapid increase in bike lanes has made driving much more difficult and tedious, with numerous delays due to many streets being reduced to one lane in busy areas.
-
Standing on the National Mall in the afternoon, before storm delays and fireworks, Donald Rasdall and Betsy Green peered at the history around them.
Verb
-
The math turns against you the moment a balance lingers, though.
-
The sisters have reportedly made efforts to remain active within the royal family, but a sense of distance lingers.
Verb
-
Another 30 minutes of soccer awaits in the round of 32 for Morocco and the Netherlands after Issa Diop's goal in the 91st minute created a 1-1 tie.
-
Five-time champion Brazil awaits the winner of this one in the next round.
Verb
-
Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images Europe’s defense industry remains fragmented and constrained by supply chains, bureaucracy, labor shortages and years of underinvestment.
-
Small in size but big on personality, Little Spirit remains one of Atlanta’s most consistently delightful neighborhood cocktail bars.
Cite this Entry
“Waits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waits. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
