diff --git a/botocore/docs/waiter.py b/botocore/docs/waiter.py
index c5226d460e..1da048a163 100644
--- a/botocore/docs/waiter.py
+++ b/botocore/docs/waiter.py
@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@ def document_wait_method(
     wait_description = (
         'Polls :py:meth:`{}.Client.{}` every {} '
         'seconds until a successful state is reached. An error is '
-        'returned after {} failed checks.'.format(
+        'raised after {} failed checks.'.format(
             get_service_module_name(service_model),
             xform_name(waiter_model.operation),
             waiter_model.delay,
diff --git a/tests/unit/docs/test_waiter.py b/tests/unit/docs/test_waiter.py
index f23985e1c9..556045dfca 100644
--- a/tests/unit/docs/test_waiter.py
+++ b/tests/unit/docs/test_waiter.py
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ def test_document_waiters(self):
                 (
                     '    Polls :py:meth:`MyService.Client.sample_operation` '
                     'every 15 seconds until a successful state is reached. An error '
-                    'is returned after 40 failed checks.'
+                    'is raised after 40 failed checks.'
                 ),
                 '    **Request Syntax**',
                 '    ::',
diff --git a/tests/unit/test_waiters.py b/tests/unit/test_waiters.py
index 62544e180a..527f63b9d3 100644
--- a/tests/unit/test_waiters.py
+++ b/tests/unit/test_waiters.py
@@ -769,7 +769,7 @@ def test_waiter_help_documentation(self):
             (
                 '    Polls :py:meth:`MyService.Client.foo` every 1 '
                 'seconds until a successful state is reached. An error '
-                'is returned after 1 failed checks.'
+                'is raised after 1 failed checks.'
             ),
             '    **Request Syntax**',
             '    ::',