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
Zev Fima,kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2025
At the ripe young age of 95, Buffett still waits for worthwhile investment opportunities.
—Steve Booren, Denver Post, 19 Oct. 2025
The film world was soon responding, as the world waits to see if the ceasefire holds.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 17 Oct. 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
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
Gabi locates the pay phone in question, and waits for a call.
—Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 3 Oct. 2024
Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
For people who live in and around Tucson, flights with connections in Phoenix allow flyers access to what Sky Harbor has to offer without dealing with longer waits for check-in and security and enduring the metro area's traffic, said Austin Wright, spokesman for the Tucson Airport Authority.
—Michael Salerno, AZCentral.com, 14 Oct. 2025
The charity’s Adoptober campaign aims to encourage people to open their homes to long-stay animals, particularly large breeds like Ralph who often face longer waits for adoption.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
Because of the high volume of calls, Bauer said there have been long waits and some customers expressed frustration.
—Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Oct. 2025
Hollywood Studios continues to post the longest waits resort-wide, according to Disney Tourist Blog.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Perfect for car rides, restaurant waits, and doctor’s office downtime.
—Emily Glover, Parents, 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
Verb
Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust’s portfolio.
—Zev Fima,kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2025
At the ripe young age of 95, Buffett still waits for worthwhile investment opportunities.
—Steve Booren, Denver Post, 19 Oct. 2025
The film world was soon responding, as the world waits to see if the ceasefire holds.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 17 Oct. 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
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
Gabi locates the pay phone in question, and waits for a call.
—Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 3 Oct. 2024
Noun
While Rising waits to be served a burger and fries on a disposable plate, Brady Smigiel walks toward the quad.
—Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
For people who live in and around Tucson, flights with connections in Phoenix allow flyers access to what Sky Harbor has to offer without dealing with longer waits for check-in and security and enduring the metro area's traffic, said Austin Wright, spokesman for the Tucson Airport Authority.
—Michael Salerno, AZCentral.com, 14 Oct. 2025
The charity’s Adoptober campaign aims to encourage people to open their homes to long-stay animals, particularly large breeds like Ralph who often face longer waits for adoption.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
Because of the high volume of calls, Bauer said there have been long waits and some customers expressed frustration.
—Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Oct. 2025
Hollywood Studios continues to post the longest waits resort-wide, according to Disney Tourist Blog.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Perfect for car rides, restaurant waits, and doctor’s office downtime.
—Emily Glover, Parents, 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waits
Verb
-
Ensure a simple-enough menu stays manageable with a to-do list so you’re not waylaid by days-long side quests.—
Joseph Hernandez,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Another possible outcome could occur if the storm stays weaker in the near term.—
Joe Edwards,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In addition, New York City and Philadelphia also faced tornado watches and considerable rainfall, creating risks of flash flooding and travel delays.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Mike Hellstrom, vice president and eastern regional manager of the Laborers’ International Union of North America, said the funding cut likely means delays for a multigenerational project, which means extra costs and potential job losses.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But living through that moment, in that city, at that time of my life, left a mark and the ethos of it all still lingers.—
Kate Belli,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
-
The camera lingers over the $20 bill Maggie has left, and the film cuts to black.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The body awaits autopsy and notification of relatives.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
-
In the meantime, the world awaits Michael Jordan’s first big TV moment since his mesmerizing turn in The Last Dance.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
One person was arrested after blocking the roadway and refusing to move their vehicle, Lee said, adding that the person was later transported for medical reasons but remains subject to arrest.—
Stephanie Murray,
AZCentral.com,
18 Oct. 2025
-
The protests come as the government remains shut down.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
18 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Waits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waits. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
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