1
as in to remain
to continue to be in a place for a significant amount of time
let's stay inside this pavilion until it stops raining
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to stop
to bring (something) to a standstill
stay the trial until this new evidence has been processed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to wait
to remain in place in readiness or expectation of something
we'll stay for a while longer and see if anyone shows up
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to visit
to reside as a temporary guest
let's stay at a quaint inn rather than at some generic motel
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in cessation
the stopping of a process or activity
we must work without stay if we are ever to reach our goal of equal rights for everyone
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in support
a structure that holds up or serves as a foundation for something else
a free press is one of the principal stays of a democratic society
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stay
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2025
But Joe Schoen stayed open to the possibility of being convinced otherwise.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2025
Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 24 Apr. 2025
Jail on Tuesday after a lengthy hospital stay, was charged April 18 with 17 felony counts resulting from the April 13 confrontation.
—Harry Harris, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stay
Verb
What is the best way to stay private, secure and anonymous while browsing the web?
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2025
But Joe Schoen stayed open to the possibility of being convinced otherwise.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2025
Noun
No single-night stays here—guests have to commit to at least two nights.
—Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 24 Apr. 2025
Jail on Tuesday after a lengthy hospital stay, was charged April 18 with 17 felony counts resulting from the April 13 confrontation.
—Harry Harris, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stay
Cite this Entry
“Stay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stay. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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