stays 1 of 4

present tense third-person singular of stay
1
2
3
as in waits
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

stays

2 of 4

verb (2)

present tense third-person singular of stay
as in sustains
to hold up or serve as a foundation for beams being used to stay the bridge while it is undergoing repairs

Synonyms & Similar Words

stays

3 of 4

noun (1)

plural of stay

stays

4 of 4

noun (2)

plural of stay

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 stays
Verb
The posh pup has a home in the lobby and outside the front entrance, and sits (and stays) at the ready for belly rubs. Andrew Sessa, Robb Report, 2 July 2026 Any python-nabbing excursion requires adequate prep work to ensure everyone stays safe—and actually hunts the proper animals. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 2 July 2026 For business leaders, this matters because unclear thinking rarely stays personal. Rawad Baroud, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026 Of all the recreation fees collected within the park, 80 percent stays within the park to help fund improvements. Scott Bay, Travel + Leisure, 2 July 2026 The nature of the fire determines how long a shelter user stays inside, whether the fire flashes over them or stays put, Montrastelle said. Jack Dura, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026 The top of the pyramid gets a more custom, high-level experience while the base stays accessible to most people. Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 2 July 2026 The Kansas City region stays locked in a dangerous early-summer heat wave, with heat index values topping 100 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026 Each post can bring attention, help, criticism or pressure, yet the center of the project stays close to home. Vera Lucia Pappaterra, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026
Noun
Multiple hospital stays became fodder for school bullies, who also ridiculed his size. Erin Jensen, USA Today, 30 June 2026 Facility dogs are trained to be more goal-oriented, helping kids reach medical goals that impact their healing, enabling them to get home from inpatient stays. Zuri Primos june 29, Kansas City Star, 29 June 2026 The trip was set to include stays at both a royal residence and private accommodation. Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 28 June 2026 If a co-worker asks for help, set a clear window so your schedule stays protected. Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 27 June 2026 Lee was chief of staff to then-Councilmember Mitchell Englander when the two were plied with meals and alcohol, as well as hotel stays and gambling chips, by people seeking business with the city. Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2026 Consumer spending typically fluctuates during major events, with activity often peaking around marquee matchups, weekend games and knockout-round contests that attract larger crowds and longer visitor stays. Clemente Lisi, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026 In the weeks that follow a person's death, their unpaid bills will continue to arrive, including invoices for hospital stays, emergency treatment or medical care that hadn't yet been paid. Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 25 June 2026 The flexible pull-on waistband stays relaxed from your morning commute to dinner plans. Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 23 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stays
Verb
  • Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images Europe’s defense industry remains fragmented and constrained by supply chains, bureaucracy, labor shortages and years of underinvestment.
    Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 6 July 2026
  • Small in size but big on personality, Little Spirit remains one of Atlanta’s most consistently delightful neighborhood cocktail bars.
    Blair Crosby, AJC.com, 5 July 2026
Verb
  • Santorini stops being only a view and starts behaving like a place again.
    Noel Burgess, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
  • Workforce needs, customer expectations, and business conditions evolve, and leaders have to be willing to adjust if the model stops delivering results.
    Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 30 June 2026
Verb
  • Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust’s portfolio.
    Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 3 July 2026
  • On the walls, a few pots hang from a copper rod, a dinner bell waits to be jingled, and an ancient clock keeps time.
    Elazar Sontag, Washington Post, 2 July 2026
Verb
  • At the end of the first season, when Rhaenyra’s son Lucerys visits Storm’s End to petition House Baratheon to join their cause, he and Alicent’s second son, Aemond, trade barbs.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
  • Breakthrough has relationships with several schools in the area and regularly visits schools to present its program to area fourth graders, Cox said.
    Austin Horn July 1, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026
Verb
  • That requires attacking the system that sustains Russian forces—not just the armies on the front lines.
    David A. Deptula, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • What starts as a series that aims to subvert the heist genre at every turn – amped with thrilling life-or-death stakes, family dynamics, and explosive action – gives birth to an exploration of what drives us, sustains us, and ultimately destroys us.
    Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 30 June 2026
Noun
  • The automatic stay halts proceedings but doesn't compel creditors to undo pre-petition filings without operative effect.
    Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026
  • Since prolonged production halts can cause permanent damage to oil wells, shutting them down is typically a last resort.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 15 June 2026
Noun
  • The press cabin contains 14 lie-flat pods, including large tan leather seats with luxury features such as lumbar supports and massage functions.
    Emily Chang, ABC News, 1 July 2026
  • Officers were housed in a one-story structure atop the deck, which also featured antiaircraft guns and a kitchen, while crew quarters were in the concrete supports.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 June 2026
Verb
  • Kessler catches an empty side screen involving Anfernee Simons and calmly plays in drop, backpedals smoothly, slides laterally for a stride, opens his hips and tricks Simons to shoot before swatting it away with his left hand.
    Sam Vecenie, New York Times, 2 July 2026
  • Any successful catches need to be killed humanely following strict state guidelines, as well as accurately documented.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 2 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Stays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stays. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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