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Definitions

lie in wait

VERB

bide

Synonyms

STRONGEST

dwell sit tight stick around

STRONG

abide attend await continue linger live remain reside stay tarry

WEAK

hang around hang in hang out hold the phone sweat it watch for

Antonyms

STRONG

carry on cease complete depart finish go halt leave move stop

WEAK

hurry

VERB

lurk

Synonyms

STRONGEST

creep crouch prowl skulk

STRONG

slide slink snake sneak snoop steal wait

WEAK

conceal oneself go furtively gumshoe stay hidden

Antonyms

WEAK

come out

VERB

sit tight

Synonyms

STRONGEST

stick around

WEAK

anticipate bide one's time cool it fill time hang around hang out hold on hold the phone keep your shirt on lie low linger mark time put on hold stall stand by stay put

VERB

skulk

Synonyms

STRONGEST

crouch prowl slink snoop

STRONG

avoid bypass creep dodge elude evade hide pussyfoot sidestep slack slip snake sneak steal tiptoe

WEAK

conceal oneself

Antonyms

STRONG

confront encounter face meet take on

VERB

surprise

Synonyms

STRONGEST

startle

STRONG

ambush bushwhack capture discover grab grasp nab seize take waylay

WEAK

burst in on catch in the act catch off-balance catch off-guard catch red-handed catch unawares come down on drop in on lay for spring on take by surprise

Antonyms

STRONG

free give let go liberate lose misunderstand offer release

WEAK

expect

VERB

wait

Synonyms

STRONGEST

await delay expect hang linger remain stand by stay stick around watch

STRONG

abide anticipate bide dally foresee stall tarry

WEAK

bide one's time cool it fill time hang around hang onto your hat hang out hold back hold everything hold on hold the phone hole up keep shirt on lie low look for look forward to mark time put on hold save it sit tight sit up for stay up for sweat it

Antonyms

STRONGEST

advance go hurry leave rush

STRONG

carry on move

WEAK

carry out do forge forward go ahead

VERB

waylay

Synonyms

STRONGEST

accost

STRONG

ambuscade assail attack box bushwhack catch jump lurk prowl skulk slink surprise

WEAK

hold up lay for pounce on set upon swoop down on

Antonyms

WEAK

allow forward

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The rewards, for better or worse, lie in wait for those who take a side.

From Slate • Apr. 21, 2026

Difficult matches lie in wait for Wales, but they will fancy their chances of qualifying for a second successive World Cup, and only a third in their history.

From BBC • Nov. 20, 2025

Not being able to lie in wait for your helper to enter the cell poses an important challenge to a satellite phage.

From Salon • Nov. 9, 2023

Another long-standing local Halloween destination is the field of jack-o’-lanterns that lie in wait at the Whittier Narrows Recreation Area.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 18, 2023

“Life-forms never seen by the human eye lie in wait for a challenger.”

From "Challenger Deep" by Neal Shusterman

lie in wait

Example Sentences

Related Words