stay 1 of 4

1
2
3
as in to wait
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 to visit
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

stay

2 of 4

verb (2)

as in to sustain
to hold up or serve as a foundation for beams being used to stay the bridge while it is undergoing repairs

Synonyms & Similar Words

stay

3 of 4

noun (1)

stay

4 of 4

noun (2)

Synonym Chooser

How is the word stay distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of stay are defer, postpone, and suspend. While all these words mean "to delay an action or proceeding," stay often suggests the stopping or checking by an intervening agency or authority.

the governor stayed the execution

When might defer be a better fit than stay?

The words defer and stay are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, defer implies a deliberate putting off to a later time.

deferred buying a car until spring

When would postpone be a good substitute for stay?

The meanings of postpone and stay largely overlap; however, postpone implies an intentional deferring usually to a definite time.

the game is postponed until Saturday

Where would suspend be a reasonable alternative to stay?

The words suspend and stay can be used in similar contexts, but suspend implies temporary stoppage with an added suggestion of waiting until some condition is satisfied.

business will be suspended while repairs are underway

Examples of stay in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
This is the same model that’s effective in the workplace or on a sports team—a leader who can stay true to their principles and who cares about other people’s feelings without being taken over by them. Becky Kennedy, TIME, 24 Oct. 2024 Get the latest news in aviation, food and drink, where to stay and other travel developments. Maureen O'Hare, CNN, 12 Oct. 2024
Noun
So, even if your stay feels like a math-free vacation, don’t forget to show your appreciation by tipping the hardworking staff. Josh Rivera, USA TODAY, 29 Oct. 2024 The protocol also offers a local mesh network, which should improve response times and help ensure your lock stays connected, even if the Wi-Fi goes down. Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, The Verge, 21 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for stay 

Thesaurus Entries Near stay

Cite this Entry

“Stay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stay. Accessed 12 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on stay

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!