Synonyms of postpone

postpone

verb

(ˌ)pōs(t)-ˈpōn 

as in to defer

to assign to a later time

we'll have to postpone a decision until we have all the information

Synonyms & Similar Words

• defer
• delay
• wait
• suspend
• shelve
• hesitate
• put over
• put off
• remit
• lay over
• hold over
• hold off (on)
• pause
• stay
• prolong
• slow
• hold up
• extend
• lengthen
• retard
• detain
• stretch (out)
• protract

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• do
• act
• work (on)
• deal (with)
• decide (upon)

Synonym Chooser

How is the word postpone distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of postpone are defer, stay, and suspend. While all these words mean "to delay an action or proceeding," postpone implies an intentional deferring usually to a definite time.

the game is postponed until Saturday

Where would defer be a reasonable alternative to postpone?

The meanings of defer and postpone largely overlap; however, defer implies a deliberate putting off to a later time.

deferred buying a car until spring

In what contexts can stay take the place of postpone?

While in some cases nearly identical to postpone, stay often suggests the stopping or checking by an intervening agency or authority.

the governor stayed the execution

When can suspend be used instead of postpone?

While the synonyms suspend and postpone are close in meaning, suspend implies temporary stoppage with an added suggestion of waiting until some condition is satisfied.

business will be suspended while repairs are underway

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of postpone

These conditions pose challenges for travel, so exercise extra caution on the road or consider postponing your trip if possible. —Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2025

However, a two-week extension was agreed upon to postpone the release of two defendants, who had been scheduled for hearings on Friday, so that Orange County officials could continue to seek options, authorities said. —Nathaniel Percy, Oc Register, 7 Nov. 2025

Just recently, Apple TV postponed the release of The Savant in the weeks following Charlie Kirk’s assassination. —Taryn Finley, Refinery29, 7 Nov. 2025

Prescott was due to give evidence to the Culture, Media and Sport Committee next week, but the hearing has been postponed. —Jake Kanter, Deadline, 7 Nov. 2025