OVERSTAY Synonyms: 57 Similar and Opposite Words

overstay

verb

Definition of overstay

as in to outstay

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Dissimilar 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 overstay The Nigerian immigrant accused of overstaying his visa was injured during his arrest and later dragged out of the hospital by federal agents, according to The New York Times. — Joseph Konig, PEOPLE, 8 June 2026 But the story takes care not to overstay its welcome. — Alex James Kane, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026 People who may have entered through other visa categories or overstayed their visa may have a harder time, Karaahmet said. — Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 27 May 2026 According to Dougherty, the suspect in that case was reportedly in the United States illegally after overstaying a visa. — Jeff Gurney, CBS News, 22 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for overstay

Recent Examples of Synonyms for overstay

Verb

Better to outstay your welcome than give it all up too soon.

— Phil Hay, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
Lexx reinvented itself each season, and Season 3 — set on the planets of Fire and Water — didn't outstay its welcome at 13 episodes.

— Chris McMullen, Space.com, 2 Aug. 2025

Definition of outstay

Verb

Starting in Arraez’s place was Basabe, who has spent more time with the club than originally anticipated due to Matt Chapman’s lingering abdominal strain.

— Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 2 Aug. 2026
Skubal’s arrival answers whatever lingering questions there were about the Dodgers’ quest for a third straight title, as well as ones yet to pop up.

— Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of linger

Verb

Brian Young, AeroVironment’s senior vice president of loitering munitions, said the platform was built with that flexibility from the beginning.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 29 July 2026
The pods, each about the size of a dishwasher unit, will loiter there for retrieval by the MRV’s robotic arms.

— Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 24 July 2026

Definition of loiter

Verb

Surrounded by hundreds of butterflies fluttering between tropical plants inside the Powell Gardens Conservatory, Heidi Boehm watched as visitors stopped, looked upward and waited for one to land nearby.

— Sophia Buonpane, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026
Attending immigration court in Harlingen, Texas, on days where there are mega master hearings can mean waiting outside in the hot, crowded entrance for over an hour until the lobby can accommodate the next wave of people.

— ABC News, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of wait

Browse Nearby Words

overstating

overstay

overstayed

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“Overstay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overstay. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of overstay

verb

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