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
Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Jan. 2026
Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio.
—Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2026
When a humanoid robot touches something harmful, sensor data usually travels to a central processor, waits for analysis and then sends instructions back to the motors.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 12 Jan. 2026
But Barkov will not be able to play, and now an entire nation waits with bated breath to find out if Landeskog will be available or not.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 6 Jan. 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
The catching situation remains in flux as the club waits to see how Hunter Goodman and Drew Romo develop.
—Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post, 19 Oct. 2024
Elijah Westbrook, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
During a winter storm last January, TSA in Atlanta saw major staffing callouts that cascaded into hourslong security waits as some officers were not able to safely get to work.
—Savannah Sicurella, AJC.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Plano residents like Alex Flores and others in the region have complained about the shortfalls of microtransit, including road congestion and long waits.
—Lilly Kersh, Dallas Morning News, 17 Jan. 2026
In the heart of Round Rock, the Unicorniverse can get quite busy on weekends, with waits of up to 40 minutes for food, so try to go on a weekday.
—Austin American Statesman, 15 Jan. 2026
That said, reasonable preparation can help even those familiar with international payment systems avoid high fees, long waits and general confusion.
—Jason Phillips, Kansas City Star, 6 Jan. 2026
The price gap helps explain why more Altadena residents are pursuing rebuilding permits despite longer waits, while fewer Palisades owners are entering the system at all.
—Matthew Specktor, HollywoodReporter, 5 Jan. 2026
From hours-long waits and shoulder-to-shoulder crowds to strict security measures, limited access to food and bathrooms, and freezing temperatures, ringing in the New Year at the Crossroads of the World often demands more endurance than excitement.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 31 Dec. 2025
What started for Mike Puma as a hobby of reviewing burgers around the city, to then making them himself at dozens of popups throughout the city with hours-long waits, has beautifully blossomed into a brick and mortar one-stop-shop.
—Emily Adler, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Dec. 2025
Verb
In fact, upon check-in, your butler is alerted to your arrival and waits outside your room with a welcome drink, warm towel, and handy tips on navigating your room.
—Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Jan. 2026
Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio.
—Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2026
When a humanoid robot touches something harmful, sensor data usually travels to a central processor, waits for analysis and then sends instructions back to the motors.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 12 Jan. 2026
But Barkov will not be able to play, and now an entire nation waits with bated breath to find out if Landeskog will be available or not.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 6 Jan. 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
The catching situation remains in flux as the club waits to see how Hunter Goodman and Drew Romo develop.
—Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post, 19 Oct. 2024
Noun
Riders should expect fewer trains, longer waits and delays across the system.
—Elijah Westbrook, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
During a winter storm last January, TSA in Atlanta saw major staffing callouts that cascaded into hourslong security waits as some officers were not able to safely get to work.
—Savannah Sicurella, AJC.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Plano residents like Alex Flores and others in the region have complained about the shortfalls of microtransit, including road congestion and long waits.
—Lilly Kersh, Dallas Morning News, 17 Jan. 2026
In the heart of Round Rock, the Unicorniverse can get quite busy on weekends, with waits of up to 40 minutes for food, so try to go on a weekday.
—Austin American Statesman, 15 Jan. 2026
That said, reasonable preparation can help even those familiar with international payment systems avoid high fees, long waits and general confusion.
—Jason Phillips, Kansas City Star, 6 Jan. 2026
The price gap helps explain why more Altadena residents are pursuing rebuilding permits despite longer waits, while fewer Palisades owners are entering the system at all.
—Matthew Specktor, HollywoodReporter, 5 Jan. 2026
From hours-long waits and shoulder-to-shoulder crowds to strict security measures, limited access to food and bathrooms, and freezing temperatures, ringing in the New Year at the Crossroads of the World often demands more endurance than excitement.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 31 Dec. 2025
What started for Mike Puma as a hobby of reviewing burgers around the city, to then making them himself at dozens of popups throughout the city with hours-long waits, has beautifully blossomed into a brick and mortar one-stop-shop.
—Emily Adler, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waits
Verb
-
Your core temperature stays pretty warm.—
Ricky Sayer,
CBS News,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Having created the all-inclusive health and wellness resort experience, Canyon Ranch stays ahead of the curves in all ways.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Snow cancellations and delays may be nothing new for the Northeast, but this weekend, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida were among the states that have seen big events canceled or postponed due to frigid temperatures.—
Jessica Mekles,
FOXNews.com,
31 Jan. 2026
-
There were cancellations and delays, with the Department of Transportation cutting flights due to safety concerns.—
Caitlin Yilek,
CBS News,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Nearly every sound lingers like an unanswered question, and the scant bass drums that appear in most tracks are less for keeping time than providing anchor points in an inestimable nebula.—
Dash Lewis,
Pitchfork,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Drought lingers statewide, and Monroe’s water supply is down to about six months, officials said in an online statement Wednesday.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Dolphins have not yet named Duggan or anyone else as defensive coordinator while Anthony Weaver, the defensive coordinator the past two seasons in Miami, awaits word from the Arizona Cardinals for their head coaching vacancy.—
David Furones,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Jan. 2026
-
In many ways, however, these games are also a preview of what awaits Detroit in the season’s final stretch, as the Red Wings look to snap a nine-year playoff drought.—
Max Bultman,
New York Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Maurice Suh, a member of Chiles’ legal team, said in a statement that his client remains determined to keep the bronze medal she was awarded at the Paris Olympics.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Iran’s internet connectivity has been partially restored, but experts are warning that, even on the other side of the digital blackout, the outlook for Iranian internet access remains bleak.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Waits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waits. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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