WAITS Synonyms: 38 Similar and Opposite Words

waits 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of wait

as in stays

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

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waits

2 of 2

noun

plural of wait

as in delays

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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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 waits

Verb

The department’s administrative case runs on its own timeline under Chapter 302 of the Missouri Revised Statutes while the criminal prosecution moves through court, and neither one waits for the other. — Karen Koehler, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2026 But mental health challenges do not pause while the organization waits. — Stephen Sokoler, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026 But if an application still waits for separate handoffs among sales, credit, compliance, and operations, the customer may see little improvement. — David Pralong, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026 Lower reimbursement can mean fewer available physicians, longer waits for appointments, and greater reliance on emergency rooms for routine care. — Nicolette Natale, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Sep. 2026 Further down the line, Karen Johnson waits with a young girl in the passenger seat. — Andrea Lucia, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026 In the film, Jasper dies after Bangley waits until the last minute to pick off some invaders that target Hig and his dog. — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2026 The grey area here is how long the referee waits before starting the countdown. — Graham Scott, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026 The federal agency normally waits until all of the yearly data is reported to suggest a drop in crime. — ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026

Noun

Long lines can be a strong deterrent to voting, especially for Black and Latino voters, who on average have experienced longer waits than white voters, according to a June 2020 report by the Brennan Center for Justice. — Time Staff, Time, 3 Oct. 2026 The waits were that long, and those companies would consider any provider who could deliver. — Piotr Tomasik, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026 Health care has also featured in the campaign, particularly the long waits for treatment through Brazil’s public health system. — Katie Angell Britannica Editors Oct. 2, Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 Oct. 2026 Instead, that would have to wait a few months longer, after a gantlet of inspections that included long waits was finally finished. — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 29 Sep. 2026 Berth congestion and yard density remain elevated across the port’s Yangshan and Waigaoqiao terminals, with waits sometimes running six-to-eight days. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2026 Firefighters repeatedly reported long waits The Station 30 records are not isolated. — Brian Maass, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026 The process, which recycles optical glass waste product, is a visceral and sensory practice, and speed and movement are key—malleable molten glass waits for no one. — Clare Coulson, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Sep. 2026 Another common argument is that single-payer systems are inherently inefficient, as evidenced ostensibly by long waits for treatment suffered by patients in single-payer countries such as Canada. — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for waits

Verb

Without that function, every other gap stays open by default.

— Venkatesh Sankaran, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Skin that stays hydrated without requiring a moisturizer top-up every few hours.

— Sheryl George, Allure, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of stays

Noun

Public opposition has already impacted around $42 billion of data center investments in Europe, in account delays and cancellations, according to research from STL Partners.

— April Roach,Jenny Lee, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2026
However, delays in actual delivery have meant that only the first batch has been delivered this year.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of delays

Verb

If a strange new scent appears or concern lingers, Harvard Health advises talking to a doctor.

— Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 5 Oct. 2026
In the scene, Simon’s family speaks Kreyòl — although to varying degrees of proficiency — and the camera lingers on the Haitian feast presented on the table.

— Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of lingers

Verb

As the market tries to keep the momentum going, a quiet calendar of earnings and economic reports awaits in the week ahead.

— Zev Fima, CNBC, 4 Oct. 2026
Another test awaits Sunday, with Brian Flores’ blitzing Vikings defense hoping to wreak havoc on a Dolphins offense that has the second-lowest pass block win rate in football, per ESPN.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2026