delaying tactic
noun
variants
or delay tactic
: something that is done in order to delay a decision, an occurrence, etc.
Examples of delaying tactic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The prime minister emphasized that both Israel and the U.S. intend to prevent any stalling or delay tactics by Hamas.
—
Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 4 Oct. 2025
Most recently in that litigation, OpenAI has accused Musk of largely refusing to participate in discovery, allegedly using delay tactics to keep OpenAI from raising a defense against Musk's claims.
—Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 12 Aug. 2025
Trump has repeatedly floated recess appointments in public if GOP leaders can’t overcome Democratic delay tactics.
—Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 5 Aug. 2025
Exxon might have lost, but as Javier Blas writes in Bloomberg, its delay tactic was successful in putting Chevron CEO Mike Wirth on the defensive for two years and giving Exxon shares a decisive advantage on Wall Street.
—Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 22 July 2025
Vance scoffs at delay tactic as White House reschedules signing ceremony
Republicans don't seem too deterred by Jeffries' protest speech, even as the White House is reportedly having to change plans on what day and time Trump will hold a ceremonial signing of the mega-bill.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 4 July 2025
Despite Jeffries' delay tactic, several Republicans who had threatened to oppose the bill ended up ultimately falling in line with the president when the voting period opened on Thursday afternoon.
—Meredith Kile, People.com, 3 July 2025
Rubio, America’s top diplomat, characterized those talks as delaying tactics by Tehran.
—Chris Boccia, ABC News, 22 June 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 4 Oct. 2025
Most recently in that litigation, OpenAI has accused Musk of largely refusing to participate in discovery, allegedly using delay tactics to keep OpenAI from raising a defense against Musk's claims.
—Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 12 Aug. 2025
Trump has repeatedly floated recess appointments in public if GOP leaders can’t overcome Democratic delay tactics.
—Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 5 Aug. 2025
Exxon might have lost, but as Javier Blas writes in Bloomberg, its delay tactic was successful in putting Chevron CEO Mike Wirth on the defensive for two years and giving Exxon shares a decisive advantage on Wall Street.
—Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 22 July 2025
Vance scoffs at delay tactic as White House reschedules signing ceremony
Republicans don't seem too deterred by Jeffries' protest speech, even as the White House is reportedly having to change plans on what day and time Trump will hold a ceremonial signing of the mega-bill.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 4 July 2025
Despite Jeffries' delay tactic, several Republicans who had threatened to oppose the bill ended up ultimately falling in line with the president when the voting period opened on Thursday afternoon.
—Meredith Kile, People.com, 3 July 2025
Rubio, America’s top diplomat, characterized those talks as delaying tactics by Tehran.
—Chris Boccia, ABC News, 22 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Delaying tactic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/delaying%20tactic. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share