wait for
Remain expecting something
To wait for something is to remain in place or delay action until it arrives or happens: I'm waiting for the bus, We waited for the rain to stop.
You can wait for a person, a moment, an opportunity, or an outcome.
The phrase often implies patience or expectation: Don't wait for permission—just do it.
Postpone acting strategically
- hold onWait or maintain grip
- sit tightWait without acting
- hang in thereEndure through difficulty
- endureSuffer through without yielding
persevere · tolerance · composure · calmness · steadfastness · fortitude · resilience · equanimity
Consider likely to occur
- look forward toAwait something with pleasure
- count downRecite numbers in reverse
- long forCrave with sadness
- eagernessIntense willingness to act
excitement · expectancy · suspense · bated breath · on edge · pins and needles · countdown · buildup
bide time
Postpone acting strategically
- hold onWait or maintain grip
- sit tightWait without acting
- hang in thereEndure through difficulty
endure · persevere · tolerance · composure · calmness · steadfastness · fortitude · resilience · equanimity · self-control
expect
Consider likely to occur
- look forward toAwait something with pleasure
- count downRecite numbers in reverse
- long forCrave with sadness
eagerness · excitement · expectancy · suspense · bated breath · on edge · pins and needles · countdown · buildup · prospect
- expectationsexpect, expectation, anticipate, expectancy, anticipation
- phrasal verbspick up, look at, put down, turn on, turn off
- wantingwant, desire, crave, yearn, long
wait forgo ahead
Permission to begin
press on · forge ahead · jump the gun · hurry · act now
wait forgive up on
abandon · leave behind · forsake · write off · walk away from
watch, wait, waiting, watching, watched, watchful, await, awaiting, waits