Synonyms for wait

Another word for wait is hold, delay or time lag. Below are 12 synonyms and 30 related words across 6 senses.

Also searched as: waited, waits.

1. noun: time during which some action is awaited

hold synonyms
delay synonyms
time lag
postponement synonyms

2. noun: the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

waiting synonyms

3. verb: stay in one place and anticipate or expect something

4. verb: wait before acting

hold back synonyms
hold off

5. verb: look forward to the probable occurrence of

look synonyms
expect synonyms
await
anticipate synonyms

6. verb: serve as a waiter or waitress in a restaurant

waitress

Related words

Broader, narrower and sibling terms from the same WordNet tree. They aren't interchangeable, but one of them is often the word you wanted.

break synonyms
extension synonyms
suspension synonyms
pause synonyms
interruption synonyms
moratorium
intermission synonyms
retardation
inactivity synonyms
stay synonyms
stay put
stand by
remain synonyms
stick synonyms
stick about
lie in wait synonyms
stick around synonyms
hang around synonyms
mess about synonyms
mill about synonyms
mill around synonyms
lounge synonyms
move synonyms
act synonyms
hold out synonyms
look to
look for
hope synonyms
hold on synonyms
trust synonyms

Wait in word games

Letters: 4
Scrabble: 7
Words With Friends: 7
How common: Everyday word

Unscramble WAIT
Is WAIT a word?
Words starting with W

Questions people ask

What is another word for wait?

You can say hold, delay, time lag, postponement or waiting instead of wait. Which one fits depends on the sense; the first sense above means "time during which some action is awaited".

What is the opposite of wait?

WordNet lists no direct antonym for wait; the nearest opposites depend on which sense you mean.

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Senses and synonyms from Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0); the most common words come first. Browse more on the synonyms and antonyms hub.