wait 1 of 2

Definition of waitnext
as in to stay
to remain in place in readiness or expectation of something please wait here, and we'll seat you shortly

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wait

2 of 2

noun

as in delay
an instance or period of being prevented from going about one's business there was a long wait for the manager to come and help us

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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 wait
Verb
In one case, State Farm waited nearly three months before starting to investigate a claim, according to the state. Tran Nguyen, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026 Selling options premium — specifically, cash‑secured puts — offers a way to express constructive views on quality companies while being paid to wait for attractive entry points. Michael Khouw, CNBC, 4 May 2026
Noun
Inside eight chaotic minutes of stoppage time on Saturday, featuring two pitch invasions and one lengthy stoppage, York City went from the depths of despair to sheer, unadulterated joy to end their decade-long wait for a return to the EFL. Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026 Vincent understood my anxiety about the long wait before arriving on campus. Mary Frances Ruskell, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wait
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wait
Verb
  • Choose one direction, adjust as needed, and let clarity guide your next step forward with confidence and steady follow-through while staying flexible in how things unfold.
    Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 4 May 2026
  • Church and the Fields stayed at Shirley, a plantation just southeast of Richmond.
    Sebastian Smee, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Noun
  • According to The Tennessean, trainers from both teams rushed out to assist Kennedy, and that caused a 15-minute delay in the game.
    Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 May 2026
  • Two batters into the top of the sixth, a sudden, aggressive rain began pouring down on Citizens Bank Park, prompting a brisk 24-minute delay.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 1 May 2026
Verb
  • While coverage is expected to be more scattered, isolated strong to severe storms could still produce hail and gusty winds, particularly where daytime heating and lingering boundaries overlap.
    Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
  • The two men dined at a table alone, lingering long after all other diners had dispersed.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The T’Wolves await the return of shooting guard Anthony Edwards from a knee injury.
    Scott Phillips, New York Times, 4 May 2026
  • The store is near the neighboring cities of Euless, Bedford and Colleyville, where residents are eagerly awaiting the grand opening of H-E-B in HEB.
    Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 May 2026
Verb
  • The Knicks now move on and remain a contender in the Eastern Conference.
    Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 1 May 2026
  • He was ordered not to have contact with the victim or her family and to remain in Massachusetts under GPS monitoring.
    CBS News, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Wait.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wait. Accessed 5 May. 2026.

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