defer

verb de·fer \ di-ˈfər \

|Updated on: 20 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: defer in a Sentence

Definition of defer

deferred; deferring

transitive verb

1 : put off, delay

2 : to postpone induction of (a person) into military service

—

deferrer

noun

defer was our Word of the Day on 04/11/2018. Hear the podcast!

Examples of defer in a Sentence

Backers say the arrangement will make patients more cost-conscious and judicious in their use of medical service, thus restraining health-cost increases; critics say it will cause patients to defer needed treatment and will be attractive only to younger, healthier workers. —Wall Street Journal, 9 Jan. 2006
A far stronger signal came when the draft was revived, shortly before the United States entered World War II. Although married men with families were eligible for induction, in many cases up to the age of forty, high school students were automatically deferred. —Thomas Hine, American Heritage, September 1999
The decision was deferred for a time. John didn't want to do anything drastic until after October … —Joe Klein, Payback, 1984

Recent Examples of defer from the Web

The prime minister cannot defer the difficult decisions much longer.

— The Economist, "Theresa May postpones the tricky Brexit decisions again," 14 June 2018
The legislature also deferred until fall most bills dealing with shoring up school safety.

— kathleen gray, Detroit Free Press, "Legislature approves Rick Snyder's 'Marshall Plan' before summer break," 12 June 2018
When Huffine asked about who influences her, Kardashian West deferred to her famous personal fashion arbiter, husband Kanye West.

— halie lesavage, Glamour, "Kim Kardashian Says She's 'Shocked' to Win CFDA Award Since She's 'Naked Most of the Time'," 4 June 2018
And in the event that a painting was bought in London and brought to New York, the most the FTZ would do is defer tax until the piece leaves the zone.

— atossa araxia abrahamian, Longreads, "Tax-Free Storage Wars," 29 May 2018
Good morning, The U.S. deferred a major new sanctions push against North Korea, one of a flurry of actions by both sides meant to revive the summit next month between President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

— gerard baker, WSJ, "The 10-Point.," 29 May 2018
And any tax liability from that investment is deferred.

— polina marinova, Fortune, "Term Sheet -- Tuesday, May 29," 29 May 2018
In March the city’s planning commission unanimously deferred Alliance’s rezoning request for the site.

— bill banks, ajc, "Developer makes changes in controversial Decatur project," 19 May 2018
In The Bank and wants to face Rousey, but Rousey initially deferred the opportunity to the other women on the roster.

— nick schwartz, For The Win, "WWE is already giving Ronda Rousey a title shot," 15 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'defer.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of defer

Middle English differren, deferren, borrowed from Anglo-French differer, borrowed (with conjugational change) from Latin differre "to carry away in varying directions, spread abroad, postpone, delay, be unlike or distinct" — more at differ

Note: The verb defer is not distinct etymologically from differ—see note at etymology of that entry. The spelling of the initial unstressed syllable as -e- was perhaps by association with ²delay.

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of defer

defer, postpone, suspend, stay mean to delay an action or proceeding. defer implies a deliberate putting off to a later time.

- deferred buying a car until spring

postpone implies an intentional deferring usually to a definite time.

- the game is postponed until Saturday

suspend implies temporary stoppage with an added suggestion of waiting until some condition is satisfied.

- business will be suspended while repairs are underway

stay often suggests the stopping or checking by an intervening agency or authority.

- the governor stayed the execution

defer

verb de·fer \ di-ˈfər \

Definition of defer

deferred; deferring

transitive verb

: to delegate to another

he could defer his job to no one
—J. A. Michener

intransitive verb

: to submit to another's wishes, opinion, or governance usually through deference or respect

deferred to her father's wishes

Examples of defer in a Sentence

But in 1775, when William chose loyalty to empire over deference to his father, Franklin abruptly, angrily, and permanently broke with his son. Despite having defied his own father (in leaving Boston), Franklin pulled patriarchal rank to demand that his son defer to his politics: "there are natural duties which precede political ones, and cannot be extinguished by them." —Alan Taylor, New Republic, 13 Jan. 2003
Israelis can be harsh with each other, but they defer to the security guards who check their backpacks at the mall entrances. They put their faith in the Army. —David Brooks, Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2001

Origin and Etymology of defer

Middle English differen, deferen "to submit (a matter) for decision, submit to another's judgment," borrowed from Middle French deferer, deferrer "to bring (a defendant) before a court, submit to another's will," borrowed (with conjugation change) from Medieval Latin dēferre "to convey, show respect, submit to a decision" (Late Latin, "to pay respect to"), going back to Latin, "to bring down, convey, transfer, submit," from dē- de- + ferre "to carry, convey" — more at ²bear

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of defer

yield, submit, capitulate, succumb, relent, defer mean to give way to someone or something that one can no longer resist. yield may apply to any sort or degree of giving way before force, argument, persuasion, or entreaty.

- yields too easily in any argument

submit suggests full surrendering after resistance or conflict to the will or control of another.

- a repentant sinner vowing to submit to the will of God

capitulate stresses the fact of ending all resistance and may imply either a coming to terms (as with an adversary) or hopelessness in the face of an irresistible opposing force.