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
Jason Ma, Fortune, 15 June 2026
And for a short while on Sunday, the tiny Caribbean country believed.
—Russell Lewis, NPR, 15 June 2026
All the while, an incredible experience with my son.
—Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 June 2026
After a while, the heat miraculously gives way to a cool drizzle.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for while
Noun
The bad news is that healing will take a while.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 15 June 2026
And for a short while on Sunday, the tiny Caribbean country believed.
—Russell Lewis, NPR, 15 June 2026
All the while, an incredible experience with my son.
—Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 June 2026
After a while, the heat miraculously gives way to a cool drizzle.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for while
Recent Examples of Synonyms for while
Noun
-
The camera zoomed in on two uniformed military members who then parted and made space for Garcia to emerge from the White House.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
15 June 2026
-
The ambiguity of Chinese, the way meaning pools in the spaces between words, resists translation.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
The lawsuit, filed Monday in Los Angeles County Superior Court, is the latest effort by the oversight body to compel the department to provide access to the records.—
Connor Sheets,
Los Angeles Times,
17 June 2026
-
Starter Payton Tolle gave up two solo homers and a sacrifice fly in a five-inning effort, but reliever Ryan Watson was tagged for a two-run homer in the ninth.—
Jen McCaffrey,
New York Times,
17 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
-
Magnitude’s trainer Steve Asmussen bit through his disappointment to observe in a most sporting manner that Sovereignty’s talent was generational.—
Guy Martin,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
-
When Democrats argue, oh, actually statistically, crime is a little bit down since 2023.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
In his attempt to assure us that Shakespeare’s play resonates within our contemporary hellscape of division and deportation, Ali has poured more of his energy into easy images than into the much harder work of breathing new, heartbreaking life into old poetry.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
12 June 2026
-
Searching for a way to distract herself, Parker returned to work just weeks after the shooting.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN Money,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“While.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/while. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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