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
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Recent Examples of while
Jaylon Thompson
may 23, Kansas City Star, 24 May 2026
Now, people have been clamoring for that for a while.
—ABC News, 24 May 2026
MacRumors notes that it’s been a while since Apple’s Beats line got an update, meaning the headphones could potentially be part of the Beats brand.
—Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 24 May 2026
Pratchett took a while to warm up, and his first few Discworld books feature stock characters and a lot of sword-and-sandals pastiche.
—Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 24 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for while
Noun
And now, there’s going to be that cat and mouse, just like there is with every pitcher that’s around for a while.
—Jaylon Thompson
may 23, Kansas City Star, 24 May 2026
Now, people have been clamoring for that for a while.
—ABC News, 24 May 2026
MacRumors notes that it’s been a while since Apple’s Beats line got an update, meaning the headphones could potentially be part of the Beats brand.
—Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 24 May 2026
Pratchett took a while to warm up, and his first few Discworld books feature stock characters and a lot of sword-and-sandals pastiche.
—Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 24 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for while
Recent Examples of Synonyms for while
Noun
-
Drone plans developed by NASA suggest the space agency is particularly interested in Arsia Mons, a shield volcano in Mars' Tharsis region, which includes the largest volcanoes in the solar system, such as Olympus Mons — almost three times as high as Mount Everest.—
Tom Brown,
Space.com,
25 May 2026
-
Even so, the rooms remain an appealing choice for travelers who prioritize space.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 May 2026
Noun
-
Eco effort Guests rarely need air conditioning thanks to the building’s passive design, which captures heat in the atrium and redistributes it through internal channels, creating natural heating and cooling from day to night.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 May 2026
-
The $100,000 labor effort aims to counter more than $400,000 Bailey has received from individual donors and a committee supported by local business, including the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
Northwestern let a little bit of suspense creep in during the second half of its NCAA Tournament semifinal Friday evening at Martin Stadium.—
Colleen Kane,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2026
-
Leicester did their bit, eventually winning 2-1, but Everton were also leading 1-0 — until a fake rumour circulated inside the stadium that Bournemouth had levelled the scores.—
Elias Burke,
New York Times,
23 May 2026
Noun
-
When the fabric is right, your comfort is sure to follow — but choosing pieces that are also work-appropriate is trickier.—
Tanya Sharma,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
-
In her 2008 work Mirror Play, San Francisco Poets Theatre Beloved’s Carla Harryman employs a field of speakers as an engine for organizing meaning between interior perception and exterior reality.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 May 2026
Conjunction
-
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 29 May. 2026.
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