1
as in space
an indefinite but usually short period of time
we stayed at the fair for a while longer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in effort
the active use of energy in producing a result
it's not worth my while to fix it, so we'll get a new one
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in when
at or during the time that
pay attention while I'm explaining how the new phone system works
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of while
Rod Stafford Hagwood, Sun Sentinel, 19 June 2025
The court will be closed Thursday for Juneteenth and June 20 has been scheduled as a half-day for a while.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 18 June 2025
After six months of shows, with three months of rehearsals before that, all Bailey wanted to do was disappear for a while.
—Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 18 June 2025
For a while, slick shoes didn't quite get off the ground after his breakout roles in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) and The Goonies.
—Sarah Weldon, EW.com, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for while
Noun
But for a while, Lemon was in the news more than covering the news.
—Rod Stafford Hagwood, Sun Sentinel, 19 June 2025
The court will be closed Thursday for Juneteenth and June 20 has been scheduled as a half-day for a while.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 18 June 2025
After six months of shows, with three months of rehearsals before that, all Bailey wanted to do was disappear for a while.
—Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 18 June 2025
For a while, slick shoes didn't quite get off the ground after his breakout roles in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) and The Goonies.
—Sarah Weldon, EW.com, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for while
Recent Examples of Synonyms for while
Noun
-
That moment was the inception of HOMECOMING as a mission to create a space where the diaspora reconnects with their roots while amplifying Africa’s homegrown talent.—
Cassell Ferere,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2025
-
In 2023, city officials announced that a Whole Foods Market would be moving into the space, according to past reporting, after working out a deal with former Blue Goose Market President and CEO Paul Lencioni, who previously served on St. Charles’ City Council.—
Molly Morrow,
Chicago Tribune,
25 June 2025
Noun
-
Rose was part of an intense effort to secure those changes.—
David Folkenflik,
NPR,
16 June 2025
-
Any efforts to bridge the gap between these groups—universal pre-K, immigration, income tax, foreign aid—well, that’s just D.E.I. Ultimately, Lewis’s intervention is not to demolish the idea of genius as much as to narrow its definition.—
S. C. Cornell,
New Yorker,
16 June 2025
Noun
-
Forensic scientists showed the jury tiny red bits of plastic stuck in the fabric of O’Keefe’s sweatshirt, and pieces of Read’s taillight near where the body was found.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
18 June 2025
-
There’s familiarity, there’s evolution and there’s a little bit of something for all demographics of music too, not just country.—
Melinda Newman,
Billboard,
18 June 2025
Noun
-
Our healing, life-changing work would not have been possible without the wisdom of our 60-plus-person Braintrust.—
Asha Bandele,
Essence,
25 June 2025
-
The physical, mental, and emotional work required of DSPs does not equal the current median pay rate and is ultimately contributing to employee burnout and turnover.—
Brian Cusack,
Boston Herald,
25 June 2025
Conjunction
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But scientists and doctors say things aren’t that simple — and a belief that exposing children to marijuana, either directly or indirectly, is harmless isn’t supported by the facts.—
Daniel M. Jimenez,
The Cannifornian,
22 June 2017
-
But with a full and volatile season behind them, the two have grown closer, prompting check-ins from Bradford last month, seeking tidbits from his coach who watched OTA practices on a tablet from his Kentucky retreat.—
Chad Graff,
Twin Cities,
15 June 2017
Cite this Entry
“While.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/while. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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