until
Before the moment
As a preposition, until is always followed by a time or an event that is fixed to a particular time representing a limit: I’ll be in the area until Christmas. The store doesn’t open until noon on Sundays.
When it is a conjunction, until has a similar function in which the limiting event is expressed in a clause: You can’t get an unrestricted driver’s license until you’re 16.
Length of existence
- intervalDuration between two points
- spanDistance between endpoints
- meanwhileDuring the intervening time
- interimProvisional in-between phase
meantime · lead-up · countdown · approach · threshold · continuity · progression · sequence
Except if
- providedSupplied or given
- contingentConditional or representative group
- prerequisiteRequired prior condition
- stipulationCondition in an agreement
proviso · requirement · pending · dependent · qualified · terms · assuming
Remain expectant for
- patienceCalm during delays
- anticipationState of awaiting something
- expectationBelief about future outcomes
- holdMaintain in grasp
delay · standby · suspense · biding · lingering · endurance · perseverance · forbearance
Maximum allowed extent
Owed or expected
- cutoffPoint of termination
- submissionYielding to another's will
- completionAct of finishing
- targetObject of pursuit
milestone · deliverable · crunchtime · finalization · wrap-up · urgency · pressure · schedule
duration
Length of existence
- intervalDuration between two points
- spanDistance between endpoints
- meanwhileDuring the intervening time
interim · meantime · lead-up · countdown · approach · threshold · continuity · progression · sequence · bridge
unless
Except if
- providedSupplied or given
- contingentConditional or representative group
- prerequisiteRequired prior condition
stipulation · proviso · requirement · pending · dependent · qualified · terms · assuming
await
Remain expectant for
- patienceCalm during delays
- anticipationState of awaiting something
- expectationBelief about future outcomes
hold · delay · standby · suspense · biding · lingering · endurance · perseverance · forbearance · longing
limit
Maximum allowed extent
due
Owed or expected
- cutoffPoint of termination
- submissionYielding to another's will
- completionAct of finishing
target · milestone · deliverable · crunchtime · finalization · wrap-up · urgency · pressure · schedule · timeline
untilforever
For all time
indefinitely · always · endlessly · perpetually · without end
- until nowUp to this point
- until next timeTemporary goodbye phrase
- until the end
- until further notice
- laugh until you cry
- up untilBefore a specified point