1
as in to remain
to continue to be in a place for a significant amount of time
let's stay inside this pavilion until it stops raining
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to stop
to bring (something) to a standstill
stay the trial until this new evidence has been processed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
1
2
as in cessation
the stopping of a process or activity
we must work without stay if we are ever to reach our goal of equal rights for everyone
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in support
a structure that holds up or serves as a foundation for something else
a free press is one of the principal stays of a democratic society
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of stay
Mark Prussin, CBS News, 31 May 2026
Republicans have actually stayed around 80 percent on that survey all the way through.
—ABC News, 31 May 2026
Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 1 June 2026
Hotel costs were determined based on a two-night stay at the five cheapest Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt hotels within 15 miles of each city’s World Cup venue.
—Joe Murphy, NBC news, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for stay
Verb
The governor continued her call for peaceful demonstrations and urged outside agitators to stay home.
—Mark Prussin, CBS News, 31 May 2026
Republicans have actually stayed around 80 percent on that survey all the way through.
—ABC News, 31 May 2026
Noun
Unlike a hotel stay, which is largely transactional, a homestay puts travelers inside the daily rhythm of a destination.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 1 June 2026
Hotel costs were determined based on a two-night stay at the five cheapest Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt hotels within 15 miles of each city’s World Cup venue.
—Joe Murphy, NBC news, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for stay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stay
Verb
-
But the long-term threat to critical HIV/AIDS programming remains.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 May 2026
-
Severe Pruning Pruning tomato plants can be helpful in promoting air flow and fruit production, but removing too many leaves at one time can cause the plant to protect its remaining leaves by curling them in response.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Blackwood made two highlight-reel saves during a Vegas power play and stopped multiple mini-breakaways in the middle period as well.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
27 May 2026
-
Don't let a lack of sunshine stop you from enjoying a bountiful harvest of vegetables that grow in the shade.—
Rita Pelczar,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
At the end of one of the castle’s walkways, after a turn or two—by electric cart, bicycle, or on foot—and with the air filled with the scent of pine, rosemary, and jasmine, the sentinels are waiting, carved into the rock where the fort’s cannons were once located.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Iyo Sky, Roxanne Perez, Giulia and Lash Legend squared off in a fatal four-way match with a spot in the semifinals waiting for the winner.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Spend time walking around, snapping photos, or visiting the small interactive museum, ZOOOM, where a short 3D film flies viewers over the mountain range; admission is included in the ticket price.—
Lauren David,
Travel + Leisure,
29 May 2026
-
According to organizers, the 2027 run will visit approximately 50 cities across the United States and Canada from February through April, marking a decade since the touring drag production first launched.—
Holly Alvarado,
Daily News,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
And yet the betrayal is easier to sustain than to question.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
1 June 2026
-
Barkov missed the entire 2025-26 NHL season after sustaining a major knee injury on his first day of training camp.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
The idea is that those first steps would create space for gradual deescalation and an effective cessation of hostilities.—
Khaled Wassef,
CBS News,
1 June 2026
-
Complete smoking cessation should remain the goal.—
Katia Hetter,
CNN Money,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
No other candidates reached double-digit support, including Democratic San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan with 7%, Democratic former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa with 5% and Democratic Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond with 1%, the poll found.—
John Woolfolk,
Mercury News,
28 May 2026
-
As well as turning to the club’s head of medicine and performance Jonathan Power and psychologist Lee Richardson, Liverpool brought in grief counsellors to ensure there was sufficient support.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Russian military bloggers have warned that even small mines scattered along key highways could repeatedly halt traffic for inspections and demining operations.—
David Kirichenko,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
-
And last year, City Council took a 12-0 vote to direct Feldstein Soto to withdraw an effort to halt a federal judge’s order prohibiting LAPD officers from targeting journalists with crowd control weapons.—
Melissa Gomez,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stay. Accessed 2 Jun. 2026.
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