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
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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
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Recent Examples of waits
Sara Holdren, Vulture, 6 Mar. 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, 6 Mar. 2026
None of her players, Plitzuweit noted, waits for someone else to make a big play — offensively or defensively — and none of them are more interested in their numbers than wins.
—John Shipley, Twin Cities, 5 Mar. 2026
And watch SpaceX lift off to meet its maker, as Elon waits, already in orbit around his own head.
—Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 20 Feb. 2026
Montverde plays the ball around the perimeter with short passes and waits for openings.
—Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2026
The world waits for a compelling example of humanoid robots saving a customer money in a defensible way.
—Jeff Mahler, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Compiled annually by a group led by Franklin Leonard, a recipient of a Gotham tribute award this year, Variety waits with childlike anticipation each year to see which scripts film executives have really been buzzing over — but haven’t had the budget or the chutzpah to put into production just yet.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 10 Dec. 2024
Hypnotized by the American Dream, Luke struggles to recognize the futility of a system that moves fast and waits for no one.
—Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 5 Dec. 2024
Kevin Freking, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport said Monday TSA waits can extend up to two hours and advised passengers to arrive at least three hours before their flight.
—Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 10 Mar. 2026
Travelers face hours-long waits as the Transportation Security Administration operates during a federal funding lapse.
—Zach Wichter, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
In New York, the professional standers of Same Ole Line Dudes will wait outside sample sales or clothing stores for $25 an hour, with additional premiums for overnight waits and inclement weather.
—Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2026
About a third of the Republican polling places have over 30-minute waits.
—Rachel Royster
updated March 3, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Mar. 2026
Local spots right near the venue might have shorter waits and easier parking than driving to Wynwood or Miami Beach before the game starts.
—Taylor Haught, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2026
Long lines, waits reported for Democrats in Arlington At the Tarrant County Subcourthouse in Arlington, some voters were contending with long lines Tuesday afternoon.
—From Staff Reports, Dallas Morning News, 3 Mar. 2026
From packing their favorite toys and snacks to keeping them entertained during long waits at the airport, the right luggage can make the journey as enjoyable as the destination.
—ABC News, 3 Mar. 2026
Verb
Another room waits for us all of course, and only there is there no more seeming.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 6 Mar. 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, 6 Mar. 2026
None of her players, Plitzuweit noted, waits for someone else to make a big play — offensively or defensively — and none of them are more interested in their numbers than wins.
—John Shipley, Twin Cities, 5 Mar. 2026
And watch SpaceX lift off to meet its maker, as Elon waits, already in orbit around his own head.
—Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 20 Feb. 2026
Montverde plays the ball around the perimeter with short passes and waits for openings.
—Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2026
The world waits for a compelling example of humanoid robots saving a customer money in a defensible way.
—Jeff Mahler, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Compiled annually by a group led by Franklin Leonard, a recipient of a Gotham tribute award this year, Variety waits with childlike anticipation each year to see which scripts film executives have really been buzzing over — but haven’t had the budget or the chutzpah to put into production just yet.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 10 Dec. 2024
Hypnotized by the American Dream, Luke struggles to recognize the futility of a system that moves fast and waits for no one.
—Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 5 Dec. 2024
Noun
The four-week shutdown has crippled airport security, with waits exceeding three hours at some airports as screeners work without pay amid spring break travel.
—Kevin Freking, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport said Monday TSA waits can extend up to two hours and advised passengers to arrive at least three hours before their flight.
—Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 10 Mar. 2026
Travelers face hours-long waits as the Transportation Security Administration operates during a federal funding lapse.
—Zach Wichter, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
In New York, the professional standers of Same Ole Line Dudes will wait outside sample sales or clothing stores for $25 an hour, with additional premiums for overnight waits and inclement weather.
—Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2026
About a third of the Republican polling places have over 30-minute waits.
—Rachel Royster
updated March 3, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Mar. 2026
Local spots right near the venue might have shorter waits and easier parking than driving to Wynwood or Miami Beach before the game starts.
—Taylor Haught, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2026
Long lines, waits reported for Democrats in Arlington At the Tarrant County Subcourthouse in Arlington, some voters were contending with long lines Tuesday afternoon.
—From Staff Reports, Dallas Morning News, 3 Mar. 2026
From packing their favorite toys and snacks to keeping them entertained during long waits at the airport, the right luggage can make the journey as enjoyable as the destination.
—ABC News, 3 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waits
Verb
-
As a teaching and research institution, Dean McGee Eye Institute stays at the forefront of advances in ophthalmology, conducting clinical trials and developing new treatments.—
Community's Choice Awards,
Oklahoman,
7 Mar. 2026
-
However, a meteorologist may tell you the first day of spring is actually March 1 — a date that stays consistent from year to year.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The insurer has come under heavy criticism from fire victims over its handling of claims, including complaints of low payout offers, denials for toxin testing and delays in payments for living expenses.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
-
For public transit, confirm that service runs frequently and late enough to accommodate potential delays.—
Abby Price,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
That image lingers, but modern legal systems operate with far greater cross-border coordination than in decades past.—
Ascend Agency,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Tulum has always been a place of ceremony, exchange, and reverence for nature, and that inheritance still lingers in the air.—
Gina Góngora,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
At least some level of clarity awaits after Friday.—
Peter Baugh,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Despite the past wins, Miller said Nauset understands the talented team that awaits and is eager for the matchup.—
Jack Murray,
Boston Herald,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Lithium refining is expensive and technologically complex, and most of the world’s midstream processing capacity remains concentrated in China, meaning Chinese firms dominate not only mining but also the chemical refining stage where much of the value is captured.—
Ray Mwayera,
semafor.com,
13 Mar. 2026
-
The Heat remains outside of play-in tournament territory, with just 15 regular-season games left to play.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Waits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waits. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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