WHILES Synonyms: 82 Similar and Opposite Words

whiles

noun

Definition of whiles

plural of while

as in minutes

an indefinite but usually short period of time we stayed at the fair for a while longer

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for whiles

Noun

For a relatively small fee, someone meets you at the aircraft, carries your bags, escorts you through customs in just a few minutes, helps collect your luggage, and takes you directly to your transportation.

— Doug Gollan, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
Mora erased a 1-0 deficit with goals in the 56th and 67th minutes, giving him 48 in 145 regular-season appearances — third most in club history.

— ABC News, ABC News, 26 July 2026

Definition of minutes

Noun

Boseman’s parents, Leroy and Carolyn, accuse Simone Ledward Boseman of violating a court order mandating the distribution of funds and mismanaging the company that holds Chadwick’s rights and prior works.

— Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 23 July 2026
Association of University Presses (AUPresses) members share a commitment to advancing knowledge and have long published scholarly works that contribute to understanding many complex subjects, particularly in the humanities and social sciences.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 July 2026

Definition of works

Noun

The juvenile then ate the smaller bits of sunfish that had exploded due to the impact, while the adults fed on what remained of the body, but did not consume the smaller sunfish fragments.

— Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 23 July 2026
Advertisement One of the film’s comedic bits is your character and Jake Johnson’s character playing against a team in which both players grunt loudly on the court.

— Sean Gregory, Time, 23 July 2026

Definition of bits

Noun

Despite Sneed’s best defensive efforts, Mason came alive, scoring 12 of his team-high 23 points in the fourth quarter.

— Christian Marshall, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026
Indonesia has intensified efforts in recent years to track down cultural treasures scattered abroad through colonial-era collecting, theft and illicit trafficking, including from the Netherlands, which colonized Indonesia for centuries.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 July 2026

Definition of efforts

Noun

For the third time in nine days since returning from the FIFA World Cup break, that formula worked wonders for Los Angeles Football Club.

— Josh Gross, Daily News, 26 July 2026
The combination of these two groups feeding on a single stem of common milkweed cleared all the leaves and seed pods within three days.

— Markis Hill, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2026

Definition of days

Noun

Prolonged time sitting in front of computers can result in poor posture, not to mention aches and pains.

— BestReviews, Mercury News, 23 July 2026
Bacillus cereus is a type of bacteria that causes food poisoning, with symptoms that include vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pains that usually last around two days, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

— Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 21 July 2026

Definition of pains

Noun

Dodgers fan favorite Kiké Hernández has built a reputation for clutch October moments and an easygoing personality.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026
The countdown clock is ticking, and both Lestat the vampire and Lestat the TV season are frittering away their last moments on restating the facts.

— Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 20 July 2026

Definition of moments

Browse Nearby Words

while

whiles

whilom

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Whiles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whiles. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of whiles

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on whiles

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

parochial

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples

Popular in Wordplay

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes