WAITING Synonyms: 69 Similar and Opposite Words

waiting 1 of 2

noun

as in delay

Related Words

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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

So no, the Giants never possessed the foresight to orchestrate a long-term waiting game. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2026 During that waiting period, patients continue to receive Keytruda. — Bloomberg, Chicago Tribune, 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 The union is expected to be certified after a 30-day waiting period, as long as no other qualifying organization emerges. — Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026 Without effective scaling, similar robots might assemble in a set order resulting in lengthy waiting of mostly inactive units. — New Atlas, 14 Aug. 2026 What’s old is new (with less waiting) Disney is working on long-term projects to build new lands and thrill rides. — Natasha Chen, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026 Many believe that giving it more time and waiting will provide more visibility and information for the decisions to be made. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 13 Aug. 2026

Verb

In early August, dozens of vessels were waiting for their turn in the Panama Canal. — Hira Humayun, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026 Currently, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) says non-booked vessels are waiting an average of eight days to pass through. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 20 Aug. 2026 According to the Public Policy Institute of California, 79% of the state’s jail population are unsentenced and waiting for trial, meaning the vast majority of inmates in jail are people still presumed innocent. — Evelyn Ronan, Sacbee.com, 20 Aug. 2026 The biggest mistake that families make is waiting for a crisis like a stroke or a disagreement to discuss succession, according to Mallory Findley of Rockefeller Capital Management. — Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 20 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 Authorities are waiting the results of a toxicology test to determine Panettiere’s cause of death. — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2026 Customers already waiting Radiant already has potential customers for the technology. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for waiting

Noun

The reduction will likely worsen existing delays and exacerbate transit fees, experts say.

— Hira Humayun, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
The cost-sharing is scheduled to start in October 2027, though Congress has considered a delay.

— Geoff Mulvihill, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of delay

Verb

Our team has adapted by staying current with emerging AI tools and helping clients identify where AI can create meaningful value instead of adding technology just for the sake of it.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Pérez said, in a soft tone with a calm yet controlled manner, that humility comes from staying grounded in her identity, history and community.

— Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of staying

Noun

Most of my procrastination stems from being too lazy to expertly fold my clothes properly in my suitcase to avoid wrinkles.

— Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 1 Aug. 2026
Overthinking and procrastination are two of the habits people confess to most readily and blame on themselves most harshly, and two of the habits most often misread.

— Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

Definition of procrastination

Verb

Local Florida officials have expressed interest, awaiting the crucial validation data.

— Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Investors are now awaiting July's Federal Open Market Committee meeting minutes, due Wednesday, for further insights into the Federal Reserve's latest monetary policy decisions and potential future rates trajectory.

— Sean Conlon,Hugh Leask, CNBC, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of awaiting

Noun

Founders will notice hesitation, enthusiasm, chemistry, confidence, uncertainty, who’s influencing the room, whether the customer is actually excited.

— Alison Coleman, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
His flowering is optimal for someone who hosts a show called The Reluctant Traveler, and Levy and director David Brindley both agree that the comedian’s hesitations have waned — at least a little.

— Matthew Jacobs, HollywoodReporter, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of hesitation

Verb

As the train gains elevation, dense coastal forest gradually gives way to alpine tundra, glacial lakes, rocky peaks, and, early in the season, lingering snowfields before reaching the White Pass Summit at 2,885 feet.

— Bailey Berg, Travel + Leisure, 16 Aug. 2026
Excitement surrounding the new season is slowly growing among the West Ham United fanbase, but there are lingering issues that remain hard to ignore.

— Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of lingering

Verb

Chen popped in a 30-foot 3-pointer with a minute remaining to give the Valkyries a three-point lead, and then kept the advantage at three with a slick layup over a contest after Chicago scored.

— Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2026
The jury could not reach majority verdicts of at least 10 out of 12 jurors on the remaining three rape charges.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of remaining

Cite this Entry

Style

“Waiting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waiting. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of waiting

noun

verb

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