as in to stay
to remain in place in readiness or expectation of something
please wait here, and we'll seat you shortly
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of wait
Nate Jones, Vulture, 16 Mar. 2026
Amy Madigan, the night’s first winner, had to wait a long time to celebrate an Oscar win.
—ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
Hannah Hudnall, USA Today, 17 Mar. 2026
But the first slice felt like reuniting with an old friend—that red sauce alone was worth the wait.
—Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for wait
Verb
And perhaps this whole saga illuminates another reason why voters prefer to make young hunks wait until their late 30s, as Jordan did, to get their Oscar — to teach them humility.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 16 Mar. 2026
Amy Madigan, the night’s first winner, had to wait a long time to celebrate an Oscar win.
—ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
Noun
The announcement comes amid a funding lapse for departments like the Transportation Security Agency, which has extended wait times at airports across the country.
—Hannah Hudnall, USA Today, 17 Mar. 2026
But the first slice felt like reuniting with an old friend—that red sauce alone was worth the wait.
—Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for wait
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wait
Verb
-
If in a forest, stay close to lower trees.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
16 Mar. 2026
-
In the middle of severe weather, people should stay indoors and stay away from windows, glass doors, and places where a large tree may topple over.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Balancing these two extremes, fear that delays and haste that risks reinjury, is key, Webster said.—
Ian McMahan,
New York Times,
21 Mar. 2026
-
The rain again caused multiple delays throughout the mostly gray, sometimes sunny and unseasonably cool day, in the end postponing at least six matches.—
Susan Miller Degnan,
Miami Herald,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Early May could bring a brief snag but that doesn’t linger.—
Magi Helena,
Dallas Morning News,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Rather than depicting the blast itself, Testament focuses on what lingers.—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Cadman pleaded guilty in August 2025 to federal charges and awaits sentencing.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
17 Mar. 2026
-
The deal, which awaits regulatory approval, has Hollywood bracing for more layoffs.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Some questions may be adapted into full columns, and transcripts of the chats remain available after each session concludes.—
Carolyn Hax,
Washington Post,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Units remain stretched across the Middle East amid the war with Iran.—
Steven Beynon,
ABC News,
20 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wait.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wait. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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