1
as in remains
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 stops
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 waits
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 visits
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
as in sustains
to hold up or serve as a foundation for
beams being used to stay the bridge while it is undergoing repairs
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in sojourns
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 halts
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
as in supports
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stays
Jennifer Jolly, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
And if your gifts are on the heavier side, think homemade treats, books, or candles; flat-rate boxes can be your best friend since the price stays the same no matter how far the package travels.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2025
Purushotham argued that build versus buy is often not an either/or, though his team stays apprised of what Citi’s 30,000 software developers are working on.
—Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2025
What results is a soothing outdoor space that stays beautiful from season to season.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 27 Oct. 2025
But if the government stays shuttered, Barclays’ sales and trading desk told clients that after this week, there are few market catalysts until Nvidia reports earnings in mid-November.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2025
Jeter and Ronnie have been part of our PetSmart family for years, often visiting for Doggie Day Camp and PetsHotel stays.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
To start with a wedding, then wait ’til later to figure out the details of who washes the dishes and whether the toilet seat stays down, sounds backwards but is certainly better than hostage-taking and war without an achievable end.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 26 Oct. 2025
Ensure a simple-enough menu stays manageable with a to-do list so you’re not waylaid by days-long side quests.
—Joseph Hernandez, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 Oct. 2025
Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025
As if one’s party affiliation should be a factor in whether one stays incarcerated.
—St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Twin Cities, 24 Oct. 2025
The museum also has an experimental concrete house designed by award-winning architect Dave Sellers that can be booked for stays.
—Megan Margulies, Travel + Leisure, 24 Oct. 2025
Medication and therapy can only do so much if the environment at home stays tense, unstructured, or judgmental.
—Essence, 23 Oct. 2025
Loosening restrictions Chinese work visas generally come with strict, complex requirements and allow limited stays for a small group of high-end applicants who are sponsored by employers.
—Peter Guo, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2025
Cheung said Nicholson’s mental health struggles began in 2012, progressively worsening over the years and culminating into multiple hospital stays, City News Service reported.
—Daniella Segura, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Ojai Valley Inn offers stylish stays, expressive cuisine, and a renowned spa just over a mile away from the tasting rooms of Downtown Ojai.
—AFAR Media, 23 Oct. 2025
The Greater Boise Auditorium District, which is funded mostly by a 5% tax on hotel stays, hired a consultant to study what will bring more visitors to the area.
—Darin Oswald, Idaho Statesman, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
The family that plays together, stays together Putnam lives in a bustling, multigenerational household that spans toddlers to young adults.
—Jennifer Jolly, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
And if your gifts are on the heavier side, think homemade treats, books, or candles; flat-rate boxes can be your best friend since the price stays the same no matter how far the package travels.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2025
Purushotham argued that build versus buy is often not an either/or, though his team stays apprised of what Citi’s 30,000 software developers are working on.
—Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2025
What results is a soothing outdoor space that stays beautiful from season to season.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 27 Oct. 2025
But if the government stays shuttered, Barclays’ sales and trading desk told clients that after this week, there are few market catalysts until Nvidia reports earnings in mid-November.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2025
Jeter and Ronnie have been part of our PetSmart family for years, often visiting for Doggie Day Camp and PetsHotel stays.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
To start with a wedding, then wait ’til later to figure out the details of who washes the dishes and whether the toilet seat stays down, sounds backwards but is certainly better than hostage-taking and war without an achievable end.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 26 Oct. 2025
Ensure a simple-enough menu stays manageable with a to-do list so you’re not waylaid by days-long side quests.
—Joseph Hernandez, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
As travelers crave experiences over ordinary stays, hotels that have transformed grim to glam are now embracing their bizarre and sometimes haunted histories, even hosting weddings and wellness retreats.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025
As if one’s party affiliation should be a factor in whether one stays incarcerated.
—St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Twin Cities, 24 Oct. 2025
The museum also has an experimental concrete house designed by award-winning architect Dave Sellers that can be booked for stays.
—Megan Margulies, Travel + Leisure, 24 Oct. 2025
Medication and therapy can only do so much if the environment at home stays tense, unstructured, or judgmental.
—Essence, 23 Oct. 2025
Loosening restrictions Chinese work visas generally come with strict, complex requirements and allow limited stays for a small group of high-end applicants who are sponsored by employers.
—Peter Guo, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2025
Cheung said Nicholson’s mental health struggles began in 2012, progressively worsening over the years and culminating into multiple hospital stays, City News Service reported.
—Daniella Segura, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Ojai Valley Inn offers stylish stays, expressive cuisine, and a renowned spa just over a mile away from the tasting rooms of Downtown Ojai.
—AFAR Media, 23 Oct. 2025
The Greater Boise Auditorium District, which is funded mostly by a 5% tax on hotel stays, hired a consultant to study what will bring more visitors to the area.
—Darin Oswald, Idaho Statesman, 17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stays. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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