stay 1 of 4

verb (1)

Definition of stay
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
Like the continuity of Cook staying at Apple when Ternus takes over as CEO, Eddy Cue will remain as head of services. — Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026 Ex-Los Angeles Lakers forward Matt Ryan isn't staying quiet after watching Enes Kanter Freedom get escorted out of Wintrust Arena on Sunday night for standing up for female athletes. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026
Noun
Keep your security software updated and make sure real-time protection stays turned on. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026 The stay was issued by Chief Justice John Roberts and will remain until further action from the court. — Hikmat Mohammed, ARTnews.com, 24 Aug. 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
  • High temperatures in Death Valley were expected to remain in the 115- to 118-degree range Monday and Tuesday, with a high of 119 expected Wednesday.
    — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The oak remained — and faced several more battles of its own.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of remain
Verb
  • And, there are lots of studies out there that show many in my generation have stopped believing in the promise of the American Dream.
    — Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026
  • His government has implemented policies that slow energy permitting and development, canceled billions in grants for hundreds of clean energy projects and spent nearly $4 billion to buy back leases to stop offshore wind projects.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of stop
Verb
  • No one had to wait to hear or at least see the lyrics, at least, since they were printed right on the front of the CD, in images disseminated by the shop.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Before court went into session that day, a long line of people was winding through the lobby of the downtown Regional Justice Center in downtown Las Vegas, waiting to pay traffic tickets.
    — Andy Rose, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of wait
Verb
  • Bret decides to visit Matt’s father, who is surprisingly wistful about his missing son and their fractured relationship.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The Sussexes also visited Princess Diana’s brother, Charles Spencer, at the Spencer family ancestral home, Althorp, in Northamptonshire.
    — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of visit
Verb
  • North Korea’s willingness to sustain such losses reflects the reach of Russia’s global alliances and Moscow’s need for extra manpower.
    — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The family’s attendance streak will become harder to sustain.
    — Devon Henderson, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of sustain
Noun
  • Those commitments should be included in a framework agreement, signed by all sides, which outlines the core elements of an eventual peace and enables a cessation of hostilities.
    — Matt Waldman, Foreign Affairs, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Texas law defines brain death as the irreversible cessation of brain function.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of cessation
Noun
  • Wesseh said Liberia’s development needs may have influenced the government’s decision, with officials hoping the agreement would bring support from Washington.
    — Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Next, workers will install new cables, bolted into the five main branches, to stabilize the tree before removing the old supports.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of support
Verb
  • Parched fields force hydroponic growers, vegetable farmers and fruit producers to halt harvests, sell off underfed livestock at rock-bottom prices and even return to mechanic jobs to survive.
    — Dánica Coto, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The court on Sunday granted that request, halting authorization to use water from a new well until the legal fight is concluded.
    — Will Weissert, Fortune, 26 Aug. 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 28 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on stay

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about stay

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