1
as in remains
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 stops
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 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
as in visits
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
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
1
as in sojourns
a temporary residing as another's guest
my mother-in-law is coming for a brief stay next week
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in halts
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 supports
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
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
David Caraccio
april 4, Sacbee.com, 4 Apr. 2026
Paradise Guest Ranch Buffalo, Wyoming The century-old Paradise Guest Ranch offers weeklong family stays during the summer and adult-exclusive weeks when the kids go back to school.
—Julie Bielenberg, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
Spring for the protective cover to ensure your piece stays pristine in the years to come.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 3 Apr. 2026
Curator argues for replacing—or at least displaying both—while The Boss, beholden to donors and a governing board, insists Old Art stays and New Art must go.
—Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2026
Indeed, when a mother is afraid to take her child to the hospital, when a worker hesitates to report abuse, when a victim of violence stays silent, our entire society suffers.
—Peter Cook, New York Daily News, 3 Apr. 2026
For something that stays within the Lancôme family, Idôle Peach ‘N Roses layered over La Vie Est Belle is a combination worth trying.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 3 Apr. 2026
The previous bill would have also instituted a $35 co-pay for hospital inpatient stays, which has been removed in the committee substitution.
—Keely Doll, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Apr. 2026
Even if gold stays flat, NEM is fundamentally oversold.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2026
William Harwood, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
The district is funded mostly by a 5% tax on hotel stays.
—Mark Dee
april 1, Idaho Statesman, 1 Apr. 2026
Every Year One of the most valuable benefits of hotel credit cards is the promise of free stays—just be sure to read the fine print.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Apr. 2026
The snapshot offers only a partial look at consumer spending and doesn’t include things like travel and hotel stays.
—Anne D’innocenzio, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
The space agency hopes to build a lunar base to facilitate long-term stays, then eventually use that base as a stepping stone to Mars.
—Aaron Gilchrist, NBC news, 1 Apr. 2026
At projects like the Delmore, that means thinking beyond individual amenities and focusing on how the residence functions day to day, from daily routines to long-term stays.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 31 Mar. 2026
The party was once held on Saturday night but was moved to Friday in 2023 to give organizers more time to get the park ready for the Sunday show and create longer stays for people coming from out of town, which Dorvillier said also benefits local merchants.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
Use points and cards strategically Travel credit cards, loyalty programs, and airline miles can unlock upgrades, free stays, and lounge access without extra cost.
—Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
Pool first, oak tree stays In many luxury builds, outdoor spaces are the final flourish.
—David Caraccio
april 4, Sacbee.com, 4 Apr. 2026
Paradise Guest Ranch Buffalo, Wyoming The century-old Paradise Guest Ranch offers weeklong family stays during the summer and adult-exclusive weeks when the kids go back to school.
—Julie Bielenberg, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
Spring for the protective cover to ensure your piece stays pristine in the years to come.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 3 Apr. 2026
Curator argues for replacing—or at least displaying both—while The Boss, beholden to donors and a governing board, insists Old Art stays and New Art must go.
—Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2026
Indeed, when a mother is afraid to take her child to the hospital, when a worker hesitates to report abuse, when a victim of violence stays silent, our entire society suffers.
—Peter Cook, New York Daily News, 3 Apr. 2026
For something that stays within the Lancôme family, Idôle Peach ‘N Roses layered over La Vie Est Belle is a combination worth trying.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 3 Apr. 2026
The previous bill would have also instituted a $35 co-pay for hospital inpatient stays, which has been removed in the committee substitution.
—Keely Doll, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Apr. 2026
Even if gold stays flat, NEM is fundamentally oversold.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2026
Noun
At the same time, the mission will test flight controllers and procedures needed to safely send astronauts back to the moon for long-duration stays as NASA makes plans for a future moon base.
—William Harwood, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
The district is funded mostly by a 5% tax on hotel stays.
—Mark Dee
april 1, Idaho Statesman, 1 Apr. 2026
Every Year One of the most valuable benefits of hotel credit cards is the promise of free stays—just be sure to read the fine print.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Apr. 2026
The snapshot offers only a partial look at consumer spending and doesn’t include things like travel and hotel stays.
—Anne D’innocenzio, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
The space agency hopes to build a lunar base to facilitate long-term stays, then eventually use that base as a stepping stone to Mars.
—Aaron Gilchrist, NBC news, 1 Apr. 2026
At projects like the Delmore, that means thinking beyond individual amenities and focusing on how the residence functions day to day, from daily routines to long-term stays.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 31 Mar. 2026
The party was once held on Saturday night but was moved to Friday in 2023 to give organizers more time to get the park ready for the Sunday show and create longer stays for people coming from out of town, which Dorvillier said also benefits local merchants.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
Use points and cards strategically Travel credit cards, loyalty programs, and airline miles can unlock upgrades, free stays, and lounge access without extra cost.
—Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stays. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
