whiles

noun

Definition of whilesnext
plural of while
1
as in minutes
an indefinite but usually short period of time we stayed at the fair for a while longer

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in works
the active use of energy in producing a result it's not worth my while to fix it, so we'll get a new one

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 whiles UCHealth’s decision to postpone surgeries whiles staff addressed the sterilization problem stands out from other hospitals that have found themselves in similar situations. — Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 17 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whiles
  1. minutes
  2. works
  3. bits
  4. efforts
  5. days
  6. pains
  7. moments
  8. exertions
Noun
  • Still, the episode might’ve been better at a cable or streaming length, with 15-20 more minutes to play with.
    — Noel Murray, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Drummond flirted with a preseason triple-double and posted eight points, nine rebounds, four assists and two steals in 20 minutes.
    — Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of minutes
Noun
  • But equally rewarding are works by artists who are still being discovered, who haven’t already secured their place in art history.
    — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Acoustic wooden bafflers frame the space and help create a sense of intimacy, with grand works from local artists peppered about and instilling a tangible sense of place.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of works
Noun
  • And Widow’s Bay was, of course, very successful at alternating between scary and funny bits.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
  • In addition, they’re used in experiments searching for dark matter and in systems that read information from superconducting quantum bits, or qubits.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of bits
Noun
  • However, Laguarta shared green shoots showing that the company's efforts are working.
    — Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Bulgarian maritime authorities said Wednesday that the search efforts for the crew of Alfa Watan had been suspended and wouldn't resume.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of efforts
Noun
  • However, its three questions asked whether people consider the chatbot a friend, are polite to it, and miss it after a few days.
    — Pascal Vrticka, Scientific American, 4 Oct. 2026
  • On rainy days and sunny days alike, this is a worthwhile place to come nerd out.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of days
Noun
  • In the past, Fox News has taken pains to illustrate to its viewers how the election could tilt blue.
    — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Symptoms usually begin within two weeks and can last nearly three weeks, including aches and pains, nausea and rashes.
    — Angie DiMichele, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of pains
Noun
  • But moments before the nosedive, passengers seated near the front of the plane heard sounds of a fight inside the cockpit, said passenger Daniel Schlichter, who was seated in the second row.
    — SAM MEDNICK, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Those moments in people’s careers are the beginning of feeling truly confident about yourself.
    — Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of moments
Noun
  • Lula very pointedly locates the threat differently, emphasizing the ability to resist a foreign power’s undue exertions of leverage.
    — Andre Pagliarini, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Ayuso possibly lacks the top-end explosivity, while surely Mas’ legs are not in race-winning shape given his exertions over the past month — but the Mallorcan is in the form of his career.
    — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of exertions

Browse Nearby Words

while
whiles
whilom
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Whiles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whiles. Accessed 9 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

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