while 1 of 2

Definition of whilenext

while

2 of 2

conjunction

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

2
as in although
in spite of the fact that while this term paper is very well done, it's still late

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 while
Noun
Blood tests can differentiate but may take a while. Kate Wong, Scientific American, 22 June 2026 The moment wasn’t too big for Tanner, who has been on the Screencaps radar for a while now. Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 22 June 2026 The victim won an award at McDonald’s Gospelfest for his drumming while in high school, his mother said. Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 22 June 2026 This season’s trends are the first in a while to prioritize comfort, convenience, and practicality, in addition to style. Jordan Julian, InStyle, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for while
Recent Examples of Synonyms for while
Noun
  • Another interesting player in this space is xLight.
    Rob Toews, Forbes.com, 22 June 2026
  • The key to welcoming gray into your space in 2026 is to opt for warm, layered tones that add depth and dimension.
    Cori Sears, The Spruce, 21 June 2026
Noun
  • A bit of a surprise here, as the Warriors were reportedly shopping the 11th pick in an effort to bolster their roster with a win-now player.
    Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 24 June 2026
  • The search stems from a years-long effort by authorities to revisit information connected to Mansfield, whose family lived on Centerwood Avenue in Hernando County.
    Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 24 June 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
Noun
  • This is done in stages, using multiple centrifuges that enrich the uranium bit by bit.
    Adithi Ramakrishnan, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2026
  • What impressed us most was their commitment to the bit.
    Danielle Directo-Meston, HollywoodReporter, 20 June 2026
Noun
  • In addition to the fear of deportation, the ruling puts thousands of immigrants at risk of losing their work authorization and their jobs, according to a Haitian-American journalist.
    Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 26 June 2026
  • While the artist’s work resonates with audiences around the world, Miami’s deep Caribbean and Latin American cultures, central to the city’s identity, may allow many visitors to connect in a deeper way.
    Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 26 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“While.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/while. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.

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