Search

Synonyms for wait
noun pause, delay

interval
halt
rest

stay
down
interim

downtime
hold
hold-up

on hold
time wasted

Antonyms for wait

continuation
doing

go
act

Synonyms
verb pause, rest

linger
hang
await
watch
stay
delay
remain
expect
foresee
anticipate

tarry
abide
stall
bide
dally
hang around
hold back
hole up
mark time
sit tight

stand by
stick around
cool it
fill time
hang onto your hat
hang out
hold everything
hold on
hold the phone
keep shirt on

lie in wait
lie low
look for
look forward to
put on hold
save it
sit up for
stay up for
sweat it
bide one’s time

Antonyms

hurry
carry out
go ahead
go

leave
rush
advance
carry on

move
do
forge
forward

Usage Notes

Sometimes considered objectionable in standard usage, the idiom wait on meaning “to wait for, to await (a person)” is largely confined to speech or written representations of speech. It is most common in the Midland and Southern United States: Let’s not wait on Rachel, she’s always late. Wait on or upon (an event) does not have a regional pattern and occurs in a wide variety of contexts: We will wait on (or upon) his answer and make our decision then. The completion of the merger waits upon news of a drop in interest rates.