WAITS Synonyms: 38 Similar and Opposite Words

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

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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

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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

Verb

As an investor at Point72, the hedge fund of billionaire Steve Cohen, Shaffer watched Wall Street turn private fund shares into digital tokens without shortening investors’ waits to cash out. — Camila Grigera Naón, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2026 The department’s administrative case runs on its own timeline under Chapter 302 of the Missouri Revised Statutes while the criminal prosecution moves through court, and neither one waits for the other. — Karen Koehler, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2026 But mental health challenges do not pause while the organization waits. — Stephen Sokoler, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026 Lower reimbursement can mean fewer available physicians, longer waits for appointments, and greater reliance on emergency rooms for routine care. — Nicolette Natale, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Sep. 2026 Further down the line, Karen Johnson waits with a young girl in the passenger seat. — Andrea Lucia, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026 In the film, Jasper dies after Bangley waits until the last minute to pick off some invaders that target Hig and his dog. — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2026 The grey area here is how long the referee waits before starting the countdown. — Graham Scott, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026 The federal agency normally waits until all of the yearly data is reported to suggest a drop in crime. — ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026

Noun

International funding, Patil says, means long waits, complicated contracts and co-production treaties, and Indian filmmakers end up chasing the same grants as professionals from wealthier countries. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026 Long lines can be a strong deterrent to voting, especially for Black and Latino voters, who on average have experienced longer waits than white voters, according to a June 2020 report by the Brennan Center for Justice. — Time Staff, Time, 3 Oct. 2026 The waits were that long, and those companies would consider any provider who could deliver. — Piotr Tomasik, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026 Health care has also featured in the campaign, particularly the long waits for treatment through Brazil’s public health system. — Katie Angell Britannica Editors Oct. 2, Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 Oct. 2026 Instead, that would have to wait a few months longer, after a gantlet of inspections that included long waits was finally finished. — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 29 Sep. 2026 Berth congestion and yard density remain elevated across the port’s Yangshan and Waigaoqiao terminals, with waits sometimes running six-to-eight days. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2026 Firefighters repeatedly reported long waits The Station 30 records are not isolated. — Brian Maass, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026 The process, which recycles optical glass waste product, is a visceral and sensory practice, and speed and movement are key—malleable molten glass waits for no one. — Clare Coulson, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for waits

Verb

Our communications team stays connected to employees, operators and customers to identify and fix gaps between our promises and their experiences.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Seagate Technology Holdings could see its shares nearly double as data storage demand stays strong, according to Morgan Stanley.

— Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of stays

Noun

The opening of the III Points fest sounded a sour note for thousands of fans who poured into Wynwood for a weekend of music only to experience ticketing issues, delays and chaos among the crowd.

— Isabel Rivera, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2026
Musk has repeatedly treated the sports car as a lower priority than Tesla’s other projects, while also blaming supply chain shortages for earlier delays.

— Bilin Lin, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of delays

Verb

Afternoon highs on Friday are expected to be a much cooler 57 degrees as a 40% chance of rainfall lingers in the area.

— Hali Smith, Idaho Statesman, 20 Oct. 2026
That rinse-clean standard matters for anyone worried about buildup, since a scalp oil that lingers after washing can leave hair looking greasy rather than nourished.

— Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of lingers

Verb

Harris awaits sentencing The Wyandotte County District Attorney’s Office said last year that if Harris were convicted on the capital murder charge, then prosecutors would seek the death penalty.

— Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026
As the city of Hamtramck awaits the conclusion of legal challenges and election proceedings related to the 2025 mayoral election, officials say Adam Alharbi will remain in the city's top spot until then.

— DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of awaits

Verb

Giving team members insight into what is known, what remains unchanged and what may come next can help people navigate uneasy periods of uncertainty with greater confidence.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
The vessel's identity remains unknown, and researchers are now turning to historical records in the hopes of identifying the ship.

— Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026