DEFER Synonyms: 28 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

defer

verb

di-ˈfər

Definition of defer next

as in to postpone

to assign to a later time we agreed to defer a discussion of the issue until we had more information

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Bolden, Carreira, Johnson and McKenzie were arrested in 2024, though federal prosecutors ultimately deferred prosecution on Johnson. —

John Annese, New York Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026 Significant portions of the one-year contracts Michael King and Elias Díaz played under in 2024 were deferred via buyouts on a mutual option. —

Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026 Asked what’s next on the agenda, the rapper-designer-actor deferred his answer to a higher power. —

Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 14 Feb. 2026 The option allows the Padres, working with a tight budget, to defer a portion of Márquez’s likely modest guarantee to a buyout of that option. —

Dennis Lin, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for defer

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defer

Verb

Horst has reluctantly postponed Serafini’s sentencing three times in the past several months, because the judge had to first hear testimony and arguments to determine whether to grant Serafini a new trial.

— Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 21 Feb. 2026
The women’s freeski halfpipe final has been postponed until tomorrow.

— NBC News, NBC news, 21 Feb. 2026