1
as in minutes
an indefinite but usually short period of time
we stayed at the fair for a while longer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in works
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
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 whiles
UCHealth’s decision to postpone surgeries whiles staff addressed the sterilization problem stands out from other hospitals that have found themselves in similar situations.
—
Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 17 Oct. 2025
Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 17 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whiles
Noun
-
Its hypergolic propellant allows the missile to remain fueled for extended periods, reducing launch prep to minutes.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Molly Born of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, crossed the finish line first in 1 hour, 9 minutes, 43 seconds.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
All those years of spilt juice and milk, of sandy or muddy footprints, of hands sticky from snacks and art works—no deep cleaning would make the fabric look new again.—
Yiyun Li,
New Yorker,
1 Mar. 2026
-
The play concerns an average guy named Berenger (a character name that Ionesco used in other works, and who seems to share some background details with the playwright) who sees the people around him acting strangely and spouting odd sentiments.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
1 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The jokes and musical bits are amusing but not groundbreaking, and the story is too light and slow to have a real impact.—
Rachel Simon,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Use your hands to agitate the greens (this will dislodge any stubborn bits of grit or dirt), then drain and spin dry.—
Riley Wofford,
Martha Stewart,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In the aftermath of the 2007-09 Great Recession, Warsh — then a Fed governor — objected to some of the central bank’s efforts to help the struggling economy by pushing down rates even though unemployment exceeded 9%.—
Paul Wiseman,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Fortunately, today, Luna and Chiron are supporting your efforts to review boundaries, discuss shared bills, and generally keep the focus on fairness.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
1 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The busiest week on the NFL calendar is officially in the rearview mirror, as the Dallas Cowboys have returned home from the NFL Scouting Combine after a bustling few days in downtown Indianapolis.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Mar. 2026
-
The impact on aviation is expected to be felt for at least the next few days.—
Karla Cripps,
CNN Money,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
After a whole season exploring the pains of being an illegitimate child and fears of pregnancy, Sophie and Benedict are now free to have children that would be welcomed warmly into society.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
27 Feb. 2026
-
But these are the standard-issue growing pains the NHL routinely beats into developing rosters.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The total lunar eclipse on March 3 is one of the most dramatic moments of the Pisces season.—
Lisa Stardust,
Vogue,
2 Mar. 2026
-
In one of the night’s most intense moments, the often glib Seth Rogen took the stage to accept the late Catherine O’Hara’s award for outstanding performance by a female actor in a comedy series.—
Eve Batey,
Vanity Fair,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Some of Goldsworthy’s art has also required strenuous exertions.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Vaccarello, who was born and raised in Belgium to Sicilian parents, spends a month in Los Angeles twice each year, usually in March and November, a recuperation from the semiannual exertions of the women’s collection.—
Rob Haskell,
Vogue,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Whiles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whiles. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
