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From the M-W Editors
defer was our Word of the Day on 01/10/2012. Hear the podcast!
Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP
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
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Property taxes are deferred for military reservists who are on active duty.
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If our national policy is to defer deportation of childhood arrivals, then Congress should change the law to reflect that.
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Los Alamos spokesman Kevin Roark said in an email the lab chose to defer to NNSA for its response.
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But if Republicans have their way, that dream will be deferred.
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Officials touched on residents' concerns about water quality but deferred most questions to a future meeting, when officials from the EPA's water division would be present to answer.
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Finally, the Trump administration appears more willing to risk escalation against Iran in Syria in pursuit of its objectives, or at the very least is deferring to the military on whether or not to do so.
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The wealthy may have deferred recognizing as much as 20 percent of their taxable income last year, according to independent estimates, a move that is legal and allows them to delay paying taxes on non-wage earnings including capital gains.
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Many of the justices are used to deferring to the executive, and will be sympathetic to Wall’s argument that the president’s informal statements should not be used to peer into his motives in issuing the order.
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 deferren, differren, from Middle French differer, from Latin differre to postpone, be different — more at differ
Synonym Discussion of defer
Definition of defer
deferred
;deferring
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
Recent Examples of defer from the Web
-
Property taxes are deferred for military reservists who are on active duty.
-
If our national policy is to defer deportation of childhood arrivals, then Congress should change the law to reflect that.
-
Los Alamos spokesman Kevin Roark said in an email the lab chose to defer to NNSA for its response.
-
But if Republicans have their way, that dream will be deferred.
-
Officials touched on residents' concerns about water quality but deferred most questions to a future meeting, when officials from the EPA's water division would be present to answer.
-
Finally, the Trump administration appears more willing to risk escalation against Iran in Syria in pursuit of its objectives, or at the very least is deferring to the military on whether or not to do so.
-
The wealthy may have deferred recognizing as much as 20 percent of their taxable income last year, according to independent estimates, a move that is legal and allows them to delay paying taxes on non-wage earnings including capital gains.
-
Many of the justices are used to deferring to the executive, and will be sympathetic to Wall’s argument that the president’s informal statements should not be used to peer into his motives in issuing the order.
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 deferren, differren, from Middle French deferer, defferer, from Late Latin deferre, from Latin, to bring down, bring, from de- + ferre to carry — more at bear
Synonym Discussion of defer
DEFER Defined for Kids
Definition of defer for Students
deferred
;deferring
: to give in or yield to the opinion or wishes of another
Learn More about defer
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for defer Spanish Central: Translation of defer Nglish: Translation of defer for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of defer for Arabic speakers
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