STAY Synonyms: 233 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

stay 1 of 4

verb (1)

Definition of stay

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

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

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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

stay

3 of 4

noun (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

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

Matthew Doane, a Sacramento resident, also stayed until the finish. — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 7 July 2026 If any member of the family is starting to feel under the weather, whip up a bowl of comforting chicken soup with lemons and carrots to help everyone stay healthy for the rest of the week. — Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 8 July 2026

Noun

The couple is also looking forward to seeing the Tall Ships and soaking up the city’s World Cup mania during their stay through mid-July. — Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 4 July 2026 Offering six rooms, plus two family suites as well as a separate two-bedroom cottage, the Roanoke Island Inn is an excellent option for families looking for a unique stay. — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for stay

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stay

Verb

Still, the pieces of ceiling trim dedicated to the pillars of courage and trust remained missing, a nod perhaps to the traits most easily lost when disaster strikes – and most needed to rebuild.

— Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
There’s enough cash on hand for Rhaenyra to administer the Seven Kingdoms for a fortnight, and no one remaining from the old regime — not Alicent, not Orwyle — knows where Lannister hid the rest of the ingots.

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 6 July 2026

Definition of remain

Verb

When there was a pause in the action, referee Raphael Claus stopped the match to look at VAR to determine whether Balogun committed a foul worthy of a red card.

— Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
Making new friends isn’t something that has to stop at a certain point in your life.

— Joy Harden Bradford, AJC.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of stop

Verb

Those who don't see their scores by Monday may have to wait a little longer, as exams taken later in the testing period may take longer to process, according to the College Board's FAQ.

— Julia Gomez, USA Today, 5 July 2026
If the shrub was diseased or large roots remain in the soil, waiting at least six months to a year is recommended.

— Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 5 July 2026

Definition of wait

Noun

Freight rates rose rapidly in May as carriers added more fuel surcharges and general rate increases amid the war in Iran and near-cessation of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

— Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 30 June 2026
Now its people should rise up and demand a cessation of cruelty that threatens to paint another stain of shame on the legacy of this great nation.

— Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 June 2026

Definition of cessation

Noun

Corlys, one of few characters on the show who has survived long enough to ask for a favor in return for his service, shares his plan with Rhaenyra, asking her earnestly for public support from the crown.

— Zoe Papelis, Vulture, 6 July 2026
Ukraine is expected to be central in Ankara, with debate focused on long-term military support, Kyiv’s own defense industry and what NATO can learn from the country after more than four years of full-scale war.

— Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 6 July 2026

Definition of support

Verb

In past years, Disneyland has halted the Anaheim resident deal before the official end of the promotion.

— Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 6 July 2026
In a March letter to the state, 11 board members called for the program to be halted, citing the risks of automatically renewing medicines that can have side effects or drug interactions.

— ABC News, ABC News, 6 July 2026

Definition of halt

Cite this Entry

Style

“Stay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stay. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of stay

verb (1)

verb (2)

noun (1)

noun (2)

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on stay

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

gambol

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes

Synonyms of stay

verb (1)

verb (2)

noun (1)

noun (2)

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Phrases Containing stay

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on stay

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

gambol

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes