stay 1 of 4

verb (1)

Definition of staynext
1
as in to remain
to continue to be in a place for a significant amount of time let's stay inside this pavilion until it stops raining

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to stop
to bring (something) to a standstill stay the trial until this new evidence has been processed

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to wait
to remain in place in readiness or expectation of something we'll stay for a while longer and see if anyone shows up

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to visit
to reside as a temporary guest let's stay at a quaint inn rather than at some generic motel

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

stay

2 of 4

verb (2)

as in to sustain
to hold up or serve as a foundation for beams being used to stay the bridge while it is undergoing repairs

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stay

3 of 4

noun (1)

1
as in visit
a temporary residing as another's guest my mother-in-law is coming for a brief stay next week

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in cessation
the stopping of a process or activity we must work without stay if we are ever to reach our goal of equal rights for everyone

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

stay

4 of 4

noun (2)

as in support
a structure that holds up or serves as a foundation for something else a free press is one of the principal stays of a democratic society

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word stay distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of stay are defer, postpone, and suspend. While all these words mean "to delay an action or proceeding," stay often suggests the stopping or checking by an intervening agency or authority.

the governor stayed the execution

When might defer be a better fit than stay?

The words defer and stay are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, defer implies a deliberate putting off to a later time.

deferred buying a car until spring

When would postpone be a good substitute for stay?

The meanings of postpone and stay largely overlap; however, postpone implies an intentional deferring usually to a definite time.

the game is postponed until Saturday

Where would suspend be a reasonable alternative to stay?

The words suspend and stay can be used in similar contexts, but suspend implies temporary stoppage with an added suggestion of waiting until some condition is satisfied.

business will be suspended while repairs are underway

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 stay
Verb
The streamer noted flagged that more than 200 Korean titles had hit its Global Top 10 chart in the past five years, with Squid Game Season 1 unsurprisingly staying there the longest (32 consecutive weeks). — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 26 Oct. 2026 Classic and natural looks stay popular across generations, with about half of Gen Z, millennials, and Gen X leaning that way. — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 26 Oct. 2026
Noun
In September, Judge Jonathan Medema ordered a stay of the civil case so the two sides could work to resolve the dispute without dismissing the case. — Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 22 Oct. 2026 Lee supported a system that offered a mix of free and paid parking, with options for both short- and long-term stays. — Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stay
  1. remain
  2. stop
  3. wait
  4. visit
  5. sustain
  6. cessation
  7. support
  8. halt
Verb
  • Such calculations are part of a wider effort to understand why molecular simulations remain challenging.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
  • LaGrone was directed not to possess weapons, alcohol or drugs and remain under the care of a person whose initials are noted in a document.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of remain
Verb
  • Luigi Carbone, Pope Leo XIV's physician, said the pontiff's recovery from lung cancer surgery won't stop plans for a visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru involving a dozen flights and two helicopter rides to high altitudes.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Another to stop solving problems his team brings him and teach them to solve it instead.
    — Ben Plomion, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of stop
Verb
  • The league has agreed to an extended All-Star break to accommodate the Olympics, but MLB also could tire of waiting for the union to agree with LA28, which badly wants MLB players to participate.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Ukraine is waiting for information and clarification from the US side about the situation and there is no response yet, the source said.
    — Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of wait
Verb
  • On Sunday, Jordan’s Queen Rania and Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah attended a funeral held for the victims while Jordan’s King Abdullah II visited the injured in the hospital earlier.
    — Aoife Walsh, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Dan Lipinski is a former Democratic congressman from Illinois and a distinguished visiting fellow for the Center for Revitalizing American Institutions at the Hoover Institution.
    — Dan Lipinski, Baltimore Sun, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of visit
Verb
  • But when mandates or control measures are used as the main tool in a crisis response, a short-term impact can be difficult to sustain.
    — Raj Panjabi, STAT, 21 Oct. 2026
  • In addition to a person in his car dying from injuries sustained in the crash, another passenger was severely hurt, the release said.
    — Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of sustain
Noun
  • Abrupt cessation of this class can even trigger a rebound worse than baseline.
    — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Similarly, access to smoking-cessation treatment and harm-reduction resources varies substantially from country to country.
    — Emma Fenske, The Conversation, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of cessation
Noun
  • The Lake Wylie Marine Commission has rescinded its support for Charlotte Water’s request to modify its interbasin transfer agreement, the group’s leadership told Mecklenburg County commissioners during its annual report Tuesday.
    — Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 23 Oct. 2026
  • But through the hardships, Andrea Soto said the community’s support has been a positive.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of support
Verb
  • As a result, Metra trains on the BNSF Line were temporarily halted near Western Avenue.
    — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026
  • After fumbling twice in Michigan State territory, halting offensive momentum, the Bruins were trailing going into the second quarter and tied 7-7 with three minutes left in the second quarter.
    — Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of halt

Phrases Containing stay

Browse Nearby Words

staving off
stay
stay (at)
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Cite this Entry

“Stay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stay. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about stay

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