while 1 of 2

noun

ˈ(h)wī(-ə)l How to pronounce while (audio)
Definition of whilenext
1
as in space
an indefinite but usually short period of time we stayed at the fair for a while longer

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in effort
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

while

2 of 2

conjunction

1
as in when
at or during the time that pay attention while I'm explaining how the new phone system works

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in although
in spite of the fact that while this term paper is very well done, it's still late

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 while
Noun
The district hasn't had a viable Democratic candidate in a while. — Saige Miller, NPR, 3 Aug. 2026 Not for a while yet, Lee Schwamm, associate dean for digital strategy and transformation at Yale School of Medicine, told the paper. — Lea Tran, TheWeek, 3 Aug. 2026 After getting some quick sniffs in and padding around the yard for a while, Jimothy retreated into the bushes surrounding the yard. — Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026 The slow pace continued for a while, but eventually, Punk took down Rhodes with a leaping heel kick and tweaked his knee. — Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for while
Recent Examples of Synonyms for while
  1. space
  2. effort
  3. but
  4. bit
  5. work
Noun
  • Firepits flanked by living walls create a lovely space to relax and enjoy coastal breezes with the chatter of sea lions in the distance.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 July 2026
  • More than 50 historical buildings are being restored to create retail and residential spaces in one of Atlanta’s most ambitious downtown projects.
    — Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 30 July 2026
Definition of space
Noun
  • Despite continued life-saving efforts by first responders, the girl was pronounced dead before she could be airlifted to a hospital.
    — Richard Ramos, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Through a second-half offensive effort, the Dream outlasted the Seattle Storm in a 98-89 win Friday night.
    — Micahya Costen, AJC.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of effort
Conjunction
  • But with a full and volatile season behind them, the two have grown closer, prompting check-ins from Bradford last month, seeking tidbits from his coach who watched OTA practices on a tablet from his Kentucky retreat.
    — Chad Graff, Twin Cities, 15 June 2017
  • The tech firm didn’t pull that video down, but reached out to police.
    — Queenie Wong, The Mercury News, 3 May 2017
Definition of but
Noun
  • And in April 2026 a researcher chasing Project Eleven's Q-Day Prize broke a 15-bit key on real quantum hardware.
    — Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • This light, summery soup is filled with fresh sweet corn and zucchini, and topped with savory bacon bits.
    — Hannah Agran, Midwest Living, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of bit
Noun
  • Through the mid-1980s, Wolfram continued this work, discovering a number of fundamental connections between computation and nature, and inventing such concepts as computational irreducibility.
    — Big Think, Big Think, 4 Aug. 2026
  • This kind of telescope is ideal for solar work, being a good size aperture to reveal fine detail, but not so large as to be severely affected by daytime atmospheric turbulence.
    — Damian Peach, Space.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of work

Phrases Containing while

Browse Nearby Words

whiffs
while
whiles
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Cite this Entry

“While.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/while. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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