as in delay
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as in staying
to remain in place in readiness or expectation of something
please wait here, and we'll seat you shortly
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of waiting
Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
The coverage of the launch was a bit of a waiting game, with a hold resolved before the final 10-minute countdown.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 1 Apr. 2026
Business was brisk on two days The Times observed, and the waiting times were generally only a few minutes.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
The law, which was passed in 1993, required a mandatory five-day waiting period for purchase of handguns and also background checks for would-be gun buyers.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
Choose faster filing methods, stay organized, prioritize the steps that matter most, and stay efficient during the waiting periods.
—Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 30 Mar. 2026
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Rubio said Iran’s expanding missile and drone programs posed an unacceptable threat to its neighbors and to the United States, and that waiting would have allowed Tehran to grow bolder and more capable.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
After nearly seven years of waiting, Chevon Byfield finally has a new heart.
—Bri Buckley, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
After years of waiting, Smith can finally be included in that regard.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026
Seeing their faces plastered in and around their orange and blue locker room was a pinch-me moment for the Illini, who also had Final Four swag waiting for them at the team hotel.
—Ryan Baker, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Even though buyers have the upper hand, Landin doesn’t suggest waiting too long to make a final decision.
—Lily O'Neill, San Antonio Express-News, 2 Apr. 2026
UConn will be waiting for a Final Four rematch.
—Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 2 Apr. 2026
My mother was in their bed, an hour to the north in a rural corner of the county, waiting and waiting.
—Kate Crane, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2026
The 2026 Subaru Outback Wilderness is sitting at home waiting for my return.
—Joel Feder, The Drive, 2 Apr. 2026
Given Roman cultural norms, there’s a good chance more phalluses are waiting for them.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 2 Apr. 2026
With 90% of CCZ species still waiting for names, the work is far from finished.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
Noun
He was transported to the base of the mountain to a waiting ambulance.
—Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
The coverage of the launch was a bit of a waiting game, with a hold resolved before the final 10-minute countdown.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 1 Apr. 2026
Business was brisk on two days The Times observed, and the waiting times were generally only a few minutes.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
The law, which was passed in 1993, required a mandatory five-day waiting period for purchase of handguns and also background checks for would-be gun buyers.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
Choose faster filing methods, stay organized, prioritize the steps that matter most, and stay efficient during the waiting periods.
—Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 30 Mar. 2026
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Rubio said Iran’s expanding missile and drone programs posed an unacceptable threat to its neighbors and to the United States, and that waiting would have allowed Tehran to grow bolder and more capable.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
After nearly seven years of waiting, Chevon Byfield finally has a new heart.
—Bri Buckley, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
After years of waiting, Smith can finally be included in that regard.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
According to the sheriff's office, the dog was flown to a ballfield where more rescuers were waiting with blankets to dry off and warm up the goldendoodle, who is now safe and comfortable.
—Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026
Seeing their faces plastered in and around their orange and blue locker room was a pinch-me moment for the Illini, who also had Final Four swag waiting for them at the team hotel.
—Ryan Baker, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Even though buyers have the upper hand, Landin doesn’t suggest waiting too long to make a final decision.
—Lily O'Neill, San Antonio Express-News, 2 Apr. 2026
UConn will be waiting for a Final Four rematch.
—Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 2 Apr. 2026
My mother was in their bed, an hour to the north in a rural corner of the county, waiting and waiting.
—Kate Crane, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2026
The 2026 Subaru Outback Wilderness is sitting at home waiting for my return.
—Joel Feder, The Drive, 2 Apr. 2026
Given Roman cultural norms, there’s a good chance more phalluses are waiting for them.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 2 Apr. 2026
With 90% of CCZ species still waiting for names, the work is far from finished.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waiting
Noun
-
Caltrans advised drivers to use the prior exit to reach their destinations and avoid delays.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
As the delay stretched on, some players played cards.—
Betsy Helfand,
Twin Cities,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Choose a pot that’s about 1 to 2 inches larger than the root ball to keep extra soil from staying damp for too long.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
5 Apr. 2026
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Peck added that this foyer, staying true to colonial architectural traditions, also has a beautiful open stairway to the second floor landing, which overlooks the entry, and offers easy access to the formal living room on one side and a study on the other.—
James Alexander,
Hartford Courant,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Trimmer understands that a strategic delay is not procrastination, but a patient wait until the situation clarifies itself.—
David Brooks,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Raking and Disposing of Leaves in the Fall Any home gardener who likes indulging in procrastination will love to hear this one.—
Tessa Cooper,
The Spruce,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Ships were also observed queuing north of Larak Island, awaiting clearance, with multiple vessels being turned back in recent days, according to Windward.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
2 Apr. 2026
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Three others – Trevell Breeland, 22, Jakwon Buchanan, 21, and Jaylen Frazier, 19 – have been charged in her murder and are still awaiting trial.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Connecticut students should not lose access to meaningful support because of hesitation.—
Christopher P. DeSanctis,
Hartford Courant,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The Mets don’t have any hesitation in letting Benge face lefties, but wanted to keep Robert’s bat in the lineup.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The primary suite is described as storage-rich and spa-like, with multiple closets and a bath built for lingering.—
David Caraccio,
Sacbee.com,
31 Mar. 2026
-
In our present moment, as the production and consumption of hot takes continues to accelerate, there is a powerful form of resistance to be found in lingering with the unfamiliar, in offering attention without the promise of a quick take-away.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Every minute an infrastructure project waits — due to red tape, political wrangling, indecision, prolonged negotiations, burdensome rules, lack of funding and too few hands to move it forward — the costs go up, support softens, champions go quiet and good projects die.—
Gia Biagi,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
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In the case of any indecision, the call will ultimately go to Wiseman.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Add remaining meringue in 3 batches, gently folding with a rubber spatula after each addition until only a few streaks of meringue remain (err on the side of undermixing to keep the cake batter billowy).—
Shilpa Uskokovic,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 Apr. 2026
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There’s still a week-plus remaining, so things can shift.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Waiting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waiting. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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