Definitions

wait

[weyt] / weɪt /

NOUN

pause, delay

Synonyms

STRONGEST

interval

STRONG

down downtime halt hold interim rest stay

WEAK

holdup on hold time wasted

Antonyms

STRONG

continuation go

WEAK

act doing

VERB

pause, rest

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 in wait 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

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.

“And so they had to literally wait for the Sheriff’s Department to get here and the Medical Examiner to get here,” Zenner said.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 26, 2026

It claimed that the world didn’t have to wait for innovation because it had the tools to start work immediately.

From Salon • Jun. 26, 2026

By contrast, most men provide a sperm sample and wait for science to do its thing.

From BBC • Jun. 26, 2026

“They probably will want to wait to see if inflation improves as the shocks from tariffs and the war fade.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 26, 2026

But this wait was pleasant with the late afternoon sun on our backs.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

Vocabulary lists containing wait

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wait

Example Sentences

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Vocabulary lists containing wait

Spelling Practice 1, Unit 3