Synonym Chooser

How is the word defer distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of defer are postpone, stay, and suspend. While all these words mean "to delay an action or proceeding," defer implies a deliberate putting off to a later time.

deferred buying a car until spring

When could postpone be used to replace defer?

While in some cases nearly identical to defer, postpone implies an intentional deferring usually to a definite time.

the game is postponed until Saturday

When is it sensible to use stay instead of defer?

While the synonyms stay and defer are close in meaning, stay often suggests the stopping or checking by an intervening agency or authority.

the governor stayed the execution

Where would suspend be a reasonable alternative to defer?

The words suspend and defer are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

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.
Recent Examples of defer Tao said the recent funding disruption to his project forced him to defer some of his own salary to continue paying his graduate students. Evan Bush, NBC news, 26 Aug. 2025 The Boise campus was scheduled to go before Boise’s Design Review Commission on Wednesday, but Ball Ventures Ahlquist asked to defer its presentation until May 8 to finish working on design updates. Nick Rosenberger, Idaho Statesman, 22 Aug. 2025 Chesmore deferred additional questions to the fire district. Michael Loria, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2025 The strategy seeds ETFs before launch, and the original investor defers capital gains until selling their shares. Kate Dore, Cfp®, Ea, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for defer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defer
Verb
  • It was originally set to end in February, but it was then postponed after packages began piling up without time to plan and execute the policy change.
    Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025
  • In September 2022, Justin Bieber had to postpone — and ultimately cancel — his Justice World Tour due to health issues.
    Lyndsey Havens, Billboard, 28 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • After lightning delayed kickoff for an hour, Colleyville Heritage (1-1) fell behind quickly in a back-and-forth game.
    Jordan Neal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Sep. 2025
  • In the last few years, Beyoncé, Pink, and Noah Kahan, among others, have had concerts canceled or delayed by extreme lightning, rain, or wildfire smoke.
    David Browne, Rolling Stone, 6 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Defer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defer. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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