stay 1 of 4

1
2
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)

stay

4 of 4

noun (2)

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
Extremely sexy soccer star (and recently crowed Sexiest Soccer Club Owner) David Beckham, a winner in 2015, suggested future SMA winners stay grounded. Alex Apatoff, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025 In 2005, former Super Bowl-winning offensive coordinator Charlie Weis turned a 5-2 start in his first season at Notre Dame and rumors of a potential return to the NFL into a 10-year agreement to stay at the school. Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Noun
At The Boca Raton Beach Club Plan your stay so that your home base is The Boca Raton Beach Club, which, as the name suggests, offers half a mile of beach and a stunning pool that isn't to be missed! Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2025 Cap your visit with a stay at the streamlined and stylish AutoCamp Yosemite or at a timeless yet modern cabin at Firefall Ranch. AFAR Media, 24 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stay

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stay. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on stay

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!