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
Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025
Between 2023 and 2024, a severe drought aggravated by climate change lowered the level of lakes feeding the canal, forcing its administrator to restrict transits and vessel draft, which increased costs and waiting times.
—Sarah Morland and Marianna Parraga, USA TODAY, 28 Jan. 2025
Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 6 Feb. 2025
In 2024, the Social Security’s average phone wait time for service was 45 minutes.
—Lorie Konish, CNBC, 5 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for wait 
Verb
Due to the tidal conditions of the area, the team had to wait for a suitable window of time to carry out their work.
—Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025
Between 2023 and 2024, a severe drought aggravated by climate change lowered the level of lakes feeding the canal, forcing its administrator to restrict transits and vessel draft, which increased costs and waiting times.
—Sarah Morland and Marianna Parraga, USA TODAY, 28 Jan. 2025
Noun
The move also cuts down on delivery wait times, potentially boosting sales.
—Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 6 Feb. 2025
In 2024, the Social Security’s average phone wait time for service was 45 minutes.
—Lorie Konish, CNBC, 5 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for wait
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wait
Verb
-
Since then, Verona and her children have stayed at her mother’s home, where she was surrounded by close relatives.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
15 Feb. 2025
-
The rest of the race essentially stayed green thereafter.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Across the economy, such delays could mean a softer job market and more slowly growing economy.—
Paul Davidson,
USA TODAY,
6 Feb. 2025
-
The rule change is also likely to result in delivery delays since the packages now have to go through customs, Juozas Kaziukenas, founder of e-commerce intelligence firm Marketplace Pulse, told the Associated Press.—
Megan Cerullo,
CBS News,
5 Feb. 2025
Verb
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That reactor is now enveloped by a protective shelter to contain the lingering radiation.—
Max Hunder and Anastasiia Malenko,
USA TODAY,
15 Feb. 2025
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There are lingering memories of past layoffs: more than 1,000 jobs in Huntsville were lost when Constellation, a program to return astronauts to the moon, was shut down in 2010.—
Eduardo Medina,
New York Times,
15 Feb. 2025
Verb
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That didn't happen, and ULA is still awaiting the Space Force's formal certification of its new rocket, further pushing out delivery schedules for numerous military satellites booked to fly to orbit on the Vulcan launcher.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
11 Feb. 2025
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Linda McMahon, Trump’s pick for Secretary of Education, is currently awaiting confirmation.—
Abby Monteil,
Them,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
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And there are, of course, a whole bunch of noneconomic reasons people don't move, including wanting to remain close to family and friends.—
Greg Rosalsky,
NPR,
11 Feb. 2025
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French media chronology remains a hot button topic as global streamers have shaken up the landscape since their entry into the country.—
Diana Lodderhose,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near wait
Cite this Entry
“Wait.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wait. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.
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