waist

noun

ˈwāst How to pronounce waist (audio)
Definition of waistnext
as in stomach
the middle region of the human torso bent at the waist to catch his breath

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 waist Somewhere between a jegging and a jean exist these Liverpool Los Angeles pants, which have a comfy elastic, pull-on waist in lieu of a zipper and button closure. — Annie Blackman, InStyle, 29 Sep. 2026 This black maxi has a flattering empire waist and includes pockets. — Brittany Vanderbill, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Sep. 2026 The device straps on like a rigid vest, with bands securing the torso, waist, thighs, legs, and feet. — New Atlas, 27 Sep. 2026 Major roads were flooded with cars partly submerged and ​people were forced to wade through waist-height water after nearly ⁠300mm (12 inches) of rain fell within 48 hours. — CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for waist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waist
  1. stomach
  2. middle
  3. waistline
  4. midsection
  5. midriff
  6. belly
  7. trunk
Noun
  • Wells' family and their lawyers disputed the grand jury's findings, pointing to unexplained bruising on the back of his head and noting that his airways and stomach were devoid of water.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Keith died in February 2024 following a battle with stomach cancer.
    — Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of stomach
Noun
  • With the Seminoles staring at the end zone from the 4-yard line, Daniels faked the pitch left, kept the football and charged straight up the middle, steamrolling through Virginia safety Christian Ellis before crashing into the end zone.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Plumas National Forest, California About 100 miles northeast of California’s state capital, Derek Young stood in the middle of a clearing in Plumas National Forest.
    — Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of middle
Noun
  • Our favorite dress picks have a variety of styles and versatile features, like darling ruffles, cinching waistlines, and trending silhouettes.
    — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Oct. 2026
  • For example, a jean skirt with a high slit featured denim braiding along the hem, and black tassels were stitched to the waistline of a pair of denim trousers.
    — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of waistline
Noun
  • The layers create major volume at the hair’s midsections, giving this cut the classic shag shape.
    — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Welch recommends identifying the widest part of your body, whether that’s your hips, midsection or shoulders.
    — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of midsection
Noun
  • One pair of black jeans featured a zip-front construction without a traditional waistband, while cropped jackets styled with low-rise jeans emphasized the return of the bare midriff.
    — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026
  • His creations were sparkly, beaded, feathered, and often sheer or midriff-baring.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of midriff
Noun
  • His pass was intercepted on the first play from scrimmage and again late in the first half, when his throw landed right in the belly of linebacker Ernest Jones IV.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Rather than always keeping her baby bumps concealed or camouflaged, the hitmaker embraced bold colors and cutouts that made her belly a focal point.
    — Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of belly
Noun
  • But the Track Fire had interrupted this picturesque scene, charring the thick tree trunks that peppered the canyon wall in New Mexico.
    — Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026
  • The victim’s Mustang could be seen on the street with its trunk open Friday evening, with the victim’s backpack lying nearby on the ground.
    — Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of trunk

Browse Nearby Words

wains
waist
waistband
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Waist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waist. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of Luddite

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All