wait 1 of 2

Definition of waitnext
as in to stay
to remain in place in readiness or expectation of something please wait here, and we'll seat you shortly

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wait

2 of 2

noun

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of wait
Verb
Police are investigating the case and waiting for an autopsy report from the medical examiner’s office regarding the gender, age and any other identifying information of the six people who died before any other details are released, either by the medical examiner’s office or other authorities. Yvette Orozco, Houston Chronicle, 11 May 2026 Still waiting for a male star to tackle this shade on the step and repeat with the same amount of success. Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 11 May 2026
Noun
The study examined more than 140,000 reviews from 147 DMVs across 30 major cities, the report says, looking for keywords related to long waits and bad service in reviews with three or fewer stars. Eva Flowe may 12, Charlotte Observer, 12 May 2026 Marshall noted that the problem becomes more acute when that consultation with ICE results in denial or extreme wait times. Monique O. Madan, Sun Sentinel, 11 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for wait
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wait
Verb
  • The Huskies bounced back from a 17-3 loss to Texas A&M on Friday to get a win and earn a rematch, then played a much more competitive game against the Aggies, making a number of stellar defensive plays to stay close for most of the game.
    Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 17 May 2026
  • Elite athletes train there, the University of Colorado Boulder has won numerous cross country national championships, and people just like running there to stay healthy.
    Michael Abeyta, CBS News, 16 May 2026
Noun
  • The delays in filling housing through the city’s lottery have knock-on effects beyond the apartments not going quickly to the people who need them.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 15 May 2026
  • Consumers can track a package or rideshare driver in real time, yet hospitals still struggle to reliably exchange imaging studies, authorization records and clinical documentation without delays, duplication or manual intervention.
    Demetri Giannikopoulos, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Verb
  • Damp conditions inside the drum encourage mildew and lingering odors that can be tough to remove from fabric.
    Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 12 May 2026
  • The filmmaker explores how Inés’ coming of age mirrors the lingering wounds of Chile’s political transition to democracy from the dictatorship of General Augusto Pinochet – a theme at the heart of Martelli’s feature debut Chile ’76, which premiered in the Directors’ Fortnight at Cannes.
    Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 12 May 2026
Verb
  • Old Saybrook residents are eagerly awaiting the opening.
    Sarah Kyrcz, Hartford Courant, 12 May 2026
  • And when jet lag snarls your normal rest pattern, the window views and a cup of traditional Chinese tea awaiting each guest’s arrival become a pleasant distraction.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 May 2026
Verb
  • Burrow has dealt with injuries throughout his career but remains one of the premier talents at the position when healthy.
    Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 15 May 2026
  • But the billionaires’ tax cuts remain.
    Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Wait.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wait. Accessed 18 May. 2026.

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