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
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 stays
Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 16 Apr. 2026 For her clients seeking to go beyond the Greek islands, Evyssa Vacations’ Dali organizes exclusive truffle hunting outings in Metsovo, home to the Vlach shepherd community; stays atop a private mountain at the Grand Forest Metsovo; and visits to Meteora monasteries in the nearby Thessaly. —Yulia Denisyuk, Robb Report, 16 Apr. 2026 Since nothing will happen with the bill in 2026, everything stays the same for Minnesota car owners with collector plates. —Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 16 Apr. 2026 Mini Therapy Horses stays busy four to seven days of the week. —Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2026 Mini Therapy Horses stays busy four to seven days a week. —Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 16 Apr. 2026 The Huskies also need a replacement for backup point guard Malachi Smith (eligibility) and have to manage needs based on the decisions that come within the next week in terms of who stays and who may go. —Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 15 Apr. 2026 Economists said higher gas prices will cost the typical household between $740 and $1,000 if oil stays around this level for a year. —ABC News, 15 Apr. 2026 But, what could impact BP’s lockout is if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed down and the price of gas stays above $4 a gallon, then BP officials may feel pressure to end the lockout and make money, Dau-Schmidt said. —Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2026
Jen Murphy, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Apr. 2026 The messages seemed to show Felix Wanjala, who was the hospital’s CEO during Abraaj’s ownership, apparently pressuring doctors to meet daily admissions targets and extend peoples’ hospital stays. —Hettie O'Brien, The Dial, 21 Apr. 2026 The biggest tip to keep in mind to ensure cauliflower stays fresh? —Heather Riske, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Apr. 2026 The residency-style run that will take him to multiple cities for extended stays is in support of his upcoming album Kiss All the Time. —Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026 As for stays, the Conrad Los Angeles made T+L’s 2025 World’s Best Awards. —Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 19 Apr. 2026 Members can reserve Lost Key Cottage for overnight stays, family gatherings, and more. —Megan Dubois, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2026 She was also accused of using her card to pay for at least $9,000 in travel expenses for airline tickets, hotel stays, meals, car rentals, a trip with her mother to the Dominican Republic, and a trip to Las Vegas with her then-boyfriend. —Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026 Travel credit cards and loyalty programs can also unlock free stays, upgrades and lounge access — worth looking into before your trip. —Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2026
Verb
Both career-wise, and as a group that stays together and whose members love one another? —Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 16 Apr. 2026 For her clients seeking to go beyond the Greek islands, Evyssa Vacations’ Dali organizes exclusive truffle hunting outings in Metsovo, home to the Vlach shepherd community; stays atop a private mountain at the Grand Forest Metsovo; and visits to Meteora monasteries in the nearby Thessaly. —Yulia Denisyuk, Robb Report, 16 Apr. 2026 Since nothing will happen with the bill in 2026, everything stays the same for Minnesota car owners with collector plates. —Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 16 Apr. 2026 Mini Therapy Horses stays busy four to seven days of the week. —Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2026 Mini Therapy Horses stays busy four to seven days a week. —Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 16 Apr. 2026 The Huskies also need a replacement for backup point guard Malachi Smith (eligibility) and have to manage needs based on the decisions that come within the next week in terms of who stays and who may go. —Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 15 Apr. 2026 Economists said higher gas prices will cost the typical household between $740 and $1,000 if oil stays around this level for a year. —ABC News, 15 Apr. 2026 But, what could impact BP’s lockout is if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed down and the price of gas stays above $4 a gallon, then BP officials may feel pressure to end the lockout and make money, Dau-Schmidt said. —Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2026
Noun
Farm stays are far from new, but travelers are showing a resounding new interest in rural, back-to-the-land escapes. —Jen Murphy, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Apr. 2026 The messages seemed to show Felix Wanjala, who was the hospital’s CEO during Abraaj’s ownership, apparently pressuring doctors to meet daily admissions targets and extend peoples’ hospital stays. —Hettie O'Brien, The Dial, 21 Apr. 2026 The biggest tip to keep in mind to ensure cauliflower stays fresh? —Heather Riske, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Apr. 2026 The residency-style run that will take him to multiple cities for extended stays is in support of his upcoming album Kiss All the Time. —Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026 As for stays, the Conrad Los Angeles made T+L’s 2025 World’s Best Awards. —Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 19 Apr. 2026 Members can reserve Lost Key Cottage for overnight stays, family gatherings, and more. —Megan Dubois, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2026 She was also accused of using her card to pay for at least $9,000 in travel expenses for airline tickets, hotel stays, meals, car rentals, a trip with her mother to the Dominican Republic, and a trip to Las Vegas with her then-boyfriend. —Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026 Travel credit cards and loyalty programs can also unlock free stays, upgrades and lounge access — worth looking into before your trip. —Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/stays. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
