WAITING Synonyms: 69 Similar and Opposite Words

waiting 1 of 2

noun

as in delay

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Dissimilar Words

waiting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of wait

as in staying

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 waiting

Noun

Hunter could be in another waiting game for when either Williams or Corum suffers an injury. — Nate Atkins, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 There is no standard waiting period that applies to every settlement, so the money could be due the same day or within days of reaching an agreement — or it could be paid over a longer period in some situations. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026 Hapag-Lloyd indicated that the average waiting time at Ningbo is about three to four days for Gemini loops and three days for non-alliance services. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 24 Aug. 2026 The difference today is that waiting is considerably less expensive because Treasury securities can provide meaningful income in the meantime. — Robert Daugherty, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026 Portage Township Trustee Brendan Clancy told the waiting volunteers. — Amy Lavalley, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026 So no, the Giants never possessed the foresight to orchestrate a long-term waiting game. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2026 Its Advanced and Premium plans include help preparing a prenup agreement, though the service has eligibility requirements, including a 180-day waiting period. — Jasmin Suknanan, CNBC, 16 Aug. 2026 Daniels is also not yet eligible, under LSU rules, to have his jersey retired, as the school has a five-year waiting period listed as one of its criteria for jersey retirement. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 15 Aug. 2026

Verb

Tehran has about 20 million barrels of crude oil on tankers in Asia waiting to discharge to China, the main recipient of Iranian oil, that is a source of revenue, Smith said. — Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026 Law enforcement officers were instead waiting for him at the mobile home park, the report said. — Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026 Upendra Singh, my outfitter and shikari, and Arthur Reiffer, the white hunter who was to be my guide, were waiting for me. — Leslie E. Tassell, Outdoor Life, 27 Aug. 2026 Rogers was waiting to buy an Ossoff T-shirt at an Atlanta rally this month. — Sam Gringlas, NPR, 27 Aug. 2026 For now, affected applicants are left waiting for another email. — María Luisa Paúl, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026 In early August, dozens of vessels were waiting for their turn in the Panama Canal. — Hira Humayun, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026 None other than waiting to see if there will be a player or players who will require all or part of what remains of their mid-level exception. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2026 Some Adams is willing to keep in the folder for even longer, waiting for any tiny moment when football’s typical logic may not apply. — Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for waiting

Noun

The watchdog warned that shipyard delays are expected to keep more submarines idle through 2030, creating additional costs and reducing the fleet’s operational capacity.

— Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026
Due to high traffic, the website is experiencing some technical delays.

— Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of delay

Verb

Lugo is now staying at HHH recuperative care, a 100-bed interim housing program with on-duty medical staff.

— Rina Nakano, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
McVay says the Rams are still open to Aaron Donald returning, but the team is also staying focused on its preparations for the season.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of staying

Verb

The two companies provide staff for detention centers, beds to house them, and ankle monitors to surveil those out on bond awaiting their hearings.

— Nick Penzenstadler, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
Gamblers would bet on the fates of prisoners awaiting execution and of prominent people whose illnesses were reported on in the newspaper.

— Michael Santoli, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of awaiting

Noun

Someone may be ready to build with you, but hesitation, mixed signals, or too many moving pieces could slow the process down.

— Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026
But the full game tape shows those are few and far between — his hesitation and questionable decisions make the lowlights a near-constant.

— Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of hesitation

Verb

Patterson, who turns 27 on Tuesday, has experience at guard and center, and the 49ers needed a backup at both spots considering Toth’s lingering concussion symptoms.

— Matt Barrows, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
For Green, and the Warriors (2-0), the victory eliminated any lingering doubts about their season opener last week, a thrilling, 32-26 triple-overtime win against Newbury Park.

— Joel Beers, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of lingering

Noun

They are forced to confront their indecision about becoming parents when their divorced friend (Kate Berlant) and her daughter move in with them.

— Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2026
True commitment allows strategies to develop and succeed, as indecision hinders progress.

— Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026