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
Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2025
Jets could be missing QB Justin Fields to a concussion again (still uncertain as of Thursday; Tyrod Taylor waits).
—Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2025
With refueling, China can achieve a different kind of reuse in space while the government waits for reusable rockets to enter service.
—Robert Pearlman, ArsTechnica, 22 Sep. 2025
Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers waits to lead his team on the field prior to the game between the Clemson Tigers and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium on September 13, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.
—Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025
As Jeffrey waits for the right moment to rejoin society, his uncertainty grows, as does his need for connection with the outside world, however risky that may be.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2025
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
Michael Salerno, AZCentral.com, 4 Oct. 2025
Perfect for car rides, restaurant waits, and doctor’s office downtime.
—Emily Glover, Parents, 2 Oct. 2025
Those days consistently produce the shortest waits, sometimes only a few minutes.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2025
The shutdown can impact everything from your mortgage application, to airport security waits, to national park visits.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
An extended shutdown, after all, can lead to flight delays and longer waits at airports.
—Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Highlights Ultimate Puzzle Challenge Screen-free entertainment saves the day during long waits, flight delays, or times when devices need charging.
—Gabriela Garcia, Travel + Leisure, 26 Sep. 2025
Turner said the responses for Idaho 55 accidents take up the bulk of local emergency resources, leading to waits for Boise County residents.
—Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 26 Sep. 2025
Getting in and out of the instant town involves long waits and scary driving on Nevada State Route 447.
—Dennis Hinkamp, Denver Post, 23 Sep. 2025
Verb
Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio.
—Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2025
Jets could be missing QB Justin Fields to a concussion again (still uncertain as of Thursday; Tyrod Taylor waits).
—Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2025
With refueling, China can achieve a different kind of reuse in space while the government waits for reusable rockets to enter service.
—Robert Pearlman, ArsTechnica, 22 Sep. 2025
Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers waits to lead his team on the field prior to the game between the Clemson Tigers and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium on September 13, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.
—Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025
As Jeffrey waits for the right moment to rejoin society, his uncertainty grows, as does his need for connection with the outside world, however risky that may be.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2025
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
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport hasn't experienced significant issues with long security waits since the shutdown began.
—Michael Salerno, AZCentral.com, 4 Oct. 2025
Perfect for car rides, restaurant waits, and doctor’s office downtime.
—Emily Glover, Parents, 2 Oct. 2025
Those days consistently produce the shortest waits, sometimes only a few minutes.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2025
The shutdown can impact everything from your mortgage application, to airport security waits, to national park visits.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
An extended shutdown, after all, can lead to flight delays and longer waits at airports.
—Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Highlights Ultimate Puzzle Challenge Screen-free entertainment saves the day during long waits, flight delays, or times when devices need charging.
—Gabriela Garcia, Travel + Leisure, 26 Sep. 2025
Turner said the responses for Idaho 55 accidents take up the bulk of local emergency resources, leading to waits for Boise County residents.
—Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 26 Sep. 2025
Getting in and out of the instant town involves long waits and scary driving on Nevada State Route 447.
—Dennis Hinkamp, Denver Post, 23 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waits
Verb
-
Speeds feel snappy for streaming and cloud backups, and the price stays reasonable even with extras.—
Jade Chung-Lee,
PC Magazine,
8 Oct. 2025
-
As long as everyone stays healthy, this group seems like the safest bet to be the Mavericks’ starting lineup on opening night.—
Christian Clark,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
However, with the Internal Revenue Service impacted, some mortgage approvals could face major delays, according to the National Association of Homebuilders.—
Samantha Delouya,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
-
As a result, service delays are likely, labor unions warn.—
Sarah Moreno,
Miami Herald,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But above all, Fernández and El Mimoso’s voices shine extraordinarily beautifully, delivering a performance that lingers even after its final note.—
Tere Aguilera,
Billboard,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The pick-off still lingers in Guerrero’s mind because of his teammate at the plate — the guy who’s been alongside him the whole time.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Then a young man named Seisaku (Takahiro Tamura), who has been away on military service, comes back to the village where his girlfriend, Oshina (Yuka Konno), awaits him.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
2 Oct. 2025
-
In the holiday special, Charlie Brown preps for a party, Snoopy sets his sights on the Red Baron and Linus patiently awaits a pumpkin patch miracle.—
Tanya Wildt,
Freep.com,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
While Wilson was more impressive with his six receptions, including the breakaway touchdown, Brown remains Florida’s leader in yardage.—
Noah White,
Miami Herald,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Some of the cast remains in the music industry to this day, including country singer and actor Charles Esten and pop singer Lennon Stella.—
Audrey Gibbs,
Nashville Tennessean,
5 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Waits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waits. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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