Synonyms of suspend

suspend

verb

sə-ˈspend 

1

as in to postpone

to bring to a formal close for a period of time

the judge suspended the hearing to give the district attorney more time to process evidence

Synonyms & Similar Words

• postpone
• interrupt
• adjourn
• recess
• defer
• prorogue
• discontinue
• reserve
• prorogate
• revoke
• halt
• terminate
• disband
• shelve
• disperse
• stop
• rescind
• call
• dissolve
• table
• recall
• put off
• break off
• conclude
• hold off
• intermit
• close
• nullify
• annul
• end
• invalidate
• abort
• repeal
• quash
• abrogate
• wind up
• wrap up
• call off
• negate
• void
• break up
• drop

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• continue
• open
• extend
• proceed
• launch
• inaugurate
• prolong
• carry on
• resume
• renew
• reopen
• draw out
• call
• summon
• assemble
• convene
• rally
• muster
• convoke

2

as in to hang

to place on an elevated point without support from below

suspended a banner proclaiming the town's "Heritage Days" from the archway

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hang
• swing
• dangle
• sling
• hook
• mount
• string
• pin
• drape
• extend (out)
• tack
• protrude
• depend
• stick out
• project
• balance
• jut
• overhang
• cascade
• festoon
• fall
• garland
• poise

Synonym Chooser

How is the word suspend distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of suspend are defer, postpone, and stay. While all these words mean "to delay an action or proceeding," suspend implies temporary stoppage with an added suggestion of waiting until some condition is satisfied.

business will be suspended while repairs are underway

When would defer be a good substitute for suspend?

While the synonyms defer and suspend are close in meaning, defer implies a deliberate putting off to a later time.

deferred buying a car until spring

When can postpone be used instead of suspend?

Although the words postpone and suspend have much in common, postpone implies an intentional deferring usually to a definite time.

the game is postponed until Saturday

When might stay be a better fit than suspend?

The synonyms stay and suspend are sometimes interchangeable, but stay often suggests the stopping or checking by an intervening agency or authority.

the governor stayed the execution

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of suspend

Considering the recent success of the country’s cash rebate, which was revamped last year after being suspended in 2021 for unresolved payments, Romanian cinema and television seem to be in an optimistic, hopeful moment despite the country’s political and financial crisis. —Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 21 June 2025

Benfica's 6-0 victory was suspended for nearly two hours after halftime due to a thunderstorm. —Michael Lewis, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025

Robert Suarez is appealing Major League Baseball’s decision to suspend him three games for hitting Shohei Ohtani with a pitch in the ninth inning Thursday. —Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 June 2025

For the third time in 72 hours, thunderclouds forced a match delay yesterday, suspending Palmeiras’ Group A win over Al Ahly for 40 minutes. —Phil Hay, New York Times, 20 June 2025