Phrase guide

waiting game

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

A strategy or course of action in which one or more parties refrain from direct action until circumstances change in their favor.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • to play the waiting game

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

a strategy of delay

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: scheme, strategy

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

4 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: odotuspeli — strategy of refraining from action until circumstances change
  • German: Aussitzen — strategy of refraining from action until circumstances change
  • Italian: temporeggiazione — strategy of refraining from action until circumstances change
  • Italian: tergiversazione — strategy of refraining from action until circumstances change