Another Word for While: Best Synonyms and Examples

Another word for while is during when you mean “at the same time as.” You can also use although, whereas, as, when, at the same time, in the meantime, period, time, or duration, depending on the sentence.

The word while has more than one meaning. It can refer to time, contrast, or a period.

Examples:

I listened to music while I cooked.

I listened to music during cooking.

While I agree with you, I still have concerns.

Although I agree with you, I still have concerns.

She stayed there for a while.

She stayed there for a short time.

The best synonym depends on how while is used in the sentence.

Best Synonyms for While

Here are some common synonyms and alternatives for while:

Meaning of While	Best Synonyms
During the time that	during, as, when
At the same time	at the same time, meanwhile
Although	although, though, even though
Whereas	whereas, but, on the other hand
A period of time	time, period, duration, interval
For a short time	for a bit, for a moment, briefly

Because while has different meanings, one synonym will not work in every sentence.

During

During can replace while when the sentence is about something happening within a time period.

Examples:

She read a book while the baby slept.

She read a book during the baby’s nap.

I checked my email while lunch was happening.

I checked my email during lunch.

Use during before a noun or noun phrase, such as class, lunch, the meeting, the movie, or the storm.

A quick grammar note:

Use while before a full clause.

Use during before a noun.

Correct:

I slept while the movie was playing.

I slept during the movie.

Incorrect:

I slept during the movie was playing.

As

As can mean while when two actions happen at the same time.

Examples:

She smiled while she opened the gift.

She smiled as she opened the gift.

The children sang while they walked.

The children sang as they walked.

Use as when two actions happen together or one action happens during another.

When

When can sometimes replace while, especially when referring to the time something happens.

Examples:

Call me while you are waiting.

Call me when you are waiting.

I met her while I was in college.

I met her when I was in college.

Use when if you are focusing on the time. Use while if you are focusing on something happening during that time.

At the Same Time

At the same time is a clear replacement when while means two things happen together.

Examples:

He cooked dinner while she cleaned the table.

He cooked dinner at the same time she cleaned the table.

The phone rang while I was working.

The phone rang at the same time I was working.

This phrase is useful when you want the timing to be very clear.

Meanwhile

Meanwhile means “during the same time.” It usually starts a new sentence.

Examples:

She studied in the library. While that happened, her brother played soccer.

She studied in the library. Meanwhile, her brother played soccer.

The team prepared the room. Meanwhile, the guests waited outside.

Use meanwhile when describing two events happening at the same time in separate sentences.

Although

Although can replace while when while means contrast, not time.

Examples:

While I like the idea, I do not like the cost.

Although I like the idea, I do not like the cost.

While the movie was long, it was interesting.

Although the movie was long, it was interesting.

Use although when the sentence means “even though.”

Though

Though is a more casual synonym for although. It can replace while when showing contrast.

Examples:

While I understand your point, I disagree.

Though I understand your point, I disagree.

While the room is small, it feels comfortable.

Though the room is small, it feels comfortable.

Use though in casual writing, conversation, and blog-style writing.

Whereas

Whereas can replace while when comparing two different things.

Examples:

She likes tea, while he likes coffee.

She likes tea, whereas he likes coffee.

The first option is cheap, while the second option is faster.

The first option is cheap, whereas the second option is faster.

Use whereas when showing a clear difference between two people, things, ideas, or situations.

Time

Time can replace while when while is used as a noun.

Examples:

Stay here for a while.

Stay here for some time.

It took a while to finish.

It took some time to finish.

Use time when you mean a period, length, or amount of time.

Period

Period is another noun synonym for while. It sounds more formal than time.

Examples:

She lived abroad for a while.

She lived abroad for a short period.

The project continued for a while.

The project continued for a long period.

Use period in formal writing, history, reports, and explanations.

Duration

Duration means the length of time something lasts.

Examples:

The meeting lasted a while.

The meeting had a long duration.

The storm continued for the duration of the night.

Use duration when you are talking about how long something lasts.

In the Meantime

In the meantime means during the time before something else happens.

Examples:

The food will be ready soon. While you wait, set the table.

The food will be ready soon. In the meantime, set the table.

The doctor will arrive shortly. In the meantime, please sit down.

Use in the meantime when one thing happens during a waiting period.

While as Time

When while refers to time, good replacements include:

• during
• as
• when
• at the same time
• meanwhile
• in the meantime

Examples:

I cleaned the kitchen while she cooked.

I cleaned the kitchen as she cooked.

He called me while I was driving.

He called me when I was driving.

She worked on homework. Meanwhile, I made dinner.

While as Contrast

When while shows contrast, good replacements include:

• although
• though
• whereas
• but
• on the other hand
• even though

Examples:

While I agree, I still have questions.

Although I agree, I still have questions.

She enjoys math, while he prefers history.

She enjoys math, whereas he prefers history.

While as a Noun

When while is a noun, it means a period of time.

Examples:

Wait a while.

Wait a little time.

I have not seen her in a while.

I have not seen her for some time.

Good replacements include:

• time
• period
• moment
• interval
• short time
• long time

Formal Synonyms for While

For essays, reports, and professional writing, these are good formal alternatives:

• during
• whereas
• although
• while this occurs
• at the same time
• for the duration of
• over the same period
• in contrast

Examples:

Although the plan is useful, it is expensive.

The first method is simple, whereas the second is more accurate.

The system must remain active for the duration of the test.

Casual Synonyms for While

For everyday speech, messages, and simple writing, these alternatives sound natural:

• as
• when
• at the same time
• meanwhile
• for a bit
• for a little while
• though

Examples:

I listened to music as I cleaned.

Wait here for a bit.

The movie was good, though a little slow.

She cooked. Meanwhile, I set the table.

Common Mistakes

One common mistake is using during before a full clause.

Incorrect:

I studied during my brother watched TV.

Correct:

I studied while my brother watched TV.

Correct:

I studied during the movie.

Another mistake is using while when the meaning is unclear.

Unclear:

While the first answer is short, the second answer is long.

Clearer:

The first answer is short, whereas the second answer is long.

If the sentence is comparing two things, whereas may be clearer.

Final Answer

Another word for while is during when talking about time.

Other good alternatives include as, when, at the same time, meanwhile, although, though, whereas, time, period, and duration.

Use during before a noun.

Use as or when for actions happening at the same time.

Use although or though when showing contrast.

Use whereas when comparing two different things.

Use time or period when while means a length of time.

The best synonym for while depends on whether the sentence is about time, contrast, comparison, or a period.