100 Words to Use Instead of “Wait”

No.	Term	Definition
1.	Abide	Stay in place; remain.
2.	Abstain for now	Refrain temporarily.
3.	Adjourn	Pause proceedings until later.
4.	Allow time	Let time pass briefly.
5.	Anticipate	Expect while holding off.
6.	Await	Remain ready for something.
7.	Backburner it	Deprioritize until later.
8.	Be patient	Remain calm during delay.
9.	Bide	Endure while staying put.
10.	Bide your time	Delay action until opportune.
11.	Break	Short rest period.
12.	Buffer	Add a short delay.
13.	Buy time	Delay to gain advantage.
14.	Catch your breath	Pause briefly to recover.
15.	Cease for now	Stop temporarily.
16.	Check back later	Return for updates later.
17.	Circle back	Return to it later.
18.	Cool down	Pause to calm.
19.	Cool your heels	Wait impatiently; be kept.
20.	Count to ten	Pause to regain composure.
21.	Defer	Put off to a later time.
22.	Delay	Postpone briefly or longer.
23.	Detain	Hold back; keep from leaving.
24.	Do later	Postpone to a later time.
25.	Drag your feet	Delay intentionally.
26.	Dwell	Linger; remain for a while.
27.	Ease up	Slow down; pause pressure.
28.	Ebb	Subside gradually; lessen.
29.	Endure	Persist through a delay.
30.	Entertain yourself	Occupy time while delaying.
31.	Exercise patience	Be patient for a while.
32.	Falter	Hesitate; pause uncertainly.
33.	Fritter away time	Waste time idly.
34.	Give it a minute	Wait briefly.
35.	Give way	Let others proceed first.
36.	Go slow	Proceed at reduced speed.
37.	Hang back	Stay behind; not advance.
38.	Hang on	Hold; stay for a moment.
39.	Hang tight	Stay put briefly.
40.	Hesitate	Pause before acting.
41.	Hold	Pause; stop temporarily.
42.	Hold off	Delay action for now.
43.	Hold on	Pause a moment; stay.
44.	Hold position	Maintain your place.
45.	Hold your horses	Slow down; be patient.
46.	Idle	Remain inactive for a time.
47.	In due course	At the appropriate time.
48.	In the meantime	During the interim period.
49.	Intermit	Stop or pause temporarily.
50.	Keep it pending	Leave undecided for now.
51.	Keep still	Remain motionless; stay.
52.	Keep waiting	Continue to stay ready.
53.	Kick the can	Delay dealing with it.
54.	Kill time	Pass time aimlessly.
55.	Let it ride	Leave as is for now.
56.	Lie low	Stay quiet and inactive.
57.	Linger	Stay longer than expected.
58.	Loiter	Stand around without purpose.
59.	Make it later	Schedule for a later time.
60.	Mark time	Pass time without progress.
61.	Not yet	Indicates a delay.
62.	On standby	Ready, but not active.
63.	On the back burner	Set aside temporarily.
64.	On the shelf	Put aside for later.
65.	Park it	Set aside temporarily.
66.	Pause	Stop briefly.
67.	Pause a sec	Stop briefly.
68.	Pending	Awaiting decision or action.
69.	Persevere	Continue despite delay.
70.	Postpone	Put off until later.
71.	Procrastinate	Delay unnecessarily.
72.	Put a pin in it	Pause discussion; revisit later.
73.	Put it aside	Set aside temporarily.
74.	Put off	Delay to a later time.
75.	Put on hold	Temporarily suspend action.
76.	Rain check	Postpone, but accept later.
77.	Refrain	Hold back from acting.
78.	Remain	Stay where you are.
79.	Reschedule	Move to a later time.
80.	Rest	Pause to recover.
81.	Ride it out	Endure until it passes.
82.	Run late	Be delayed beyond expected time.
83.	Sit on it	Delay decision.
84.	Sit tight	Stay where you are.
85.	Slow your roll	Calm down; slow down.
86.	Stall	Delay or slow progress.
87.	Stand by	Be ready to act.
88.	Stand down	Stop active efforts temporarily.
89.	Stay put	Do not move.
90.	Stay tuned	Keep watching for updates.
91.	Stick around	Remain nearby for a while.
92.	Stop awhile	Pause for a short time.
93.	Suspend	Temporarily stop.
94.	Table it	Postpone discussion.
95.	Take a breather	Pause to rest briefly.
96.	Take a moment	Pause briefly.
97.	Take a rain check	Postpone to another time.
98.	Take five	Take a short break.
99.	Take it easy	Slow down; relax briefly.
100.	Take your time	Proceed without rushing.