wait on

phrase

variants also wait upon
Definition of wait onnext
1
as in work (for)
to be a servant for They waited on wealthy hotel patrons to save up extra money for college.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in nurse
to attend to the needs and comforts of He waited on his wife hand and foot when she was sick.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wait on
  1. look after
  2. take care of
Phrase
  • Although many assume protectiveness naturally flows from parent to child, that same instinct can just as easily work in reverse, with kids feeling a strong desire to look after their parents.
    — Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 29 July 2026
  • This shift has left caregivers with fewer options, forcing many to choose between paying for costly care or leaving the workforce altogether to look after children or aging relatives.
    — Liz Elting, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
Definition of look after
Phrase
  • So Urbani’s job was to procure those from a hatchery or catch them and then take care of them so they could be released.
    — Sage Marshall, Field & Stream, 8 June 2023
  • Once that’s done, KFON’s business support centre will contact and take care of the next course of action.
    — Niharika Sharma, Quartz, 6 June 2023
Definition of take care of
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.

Browse Nearby Words

wait-lists
wait on
waitperson
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Cite this Entry

“Wait on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wait%20on. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on wait on

Nglish: Translation of wait on for Spanish Speakers

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