Synonyms of defer

defer

verb

di-ˈfər 

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

• postpone
• delay
• wait
• put over
• remit
• shelve
• suspend
• put off
• hesitate
• lay over
• hold over
• hold off (on)
• hold up
• pause
• stay
• slow
• prolong
• lengthen
• detain
• retard
• stretch (out)
• extend
• protract

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• do
• work (on)
• act
• deal (with)
• decide (upon)

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

Recent Examples of defer

Nasir Uddin Chowdhury, former first vice president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), said the lobbying group had requested the government to defer the service increase for a year, but this was rejected. —Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 15 Oct. 2025

Core questions—borders, sovereignty, refugees—are deferred. —Mohammed R. Mhawish, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2025

According to trade experts, payments on these new tariffs can be deferred until December 10 but the fees will begin applying on October 14. —Lori Ann Larocco, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025

The first of four bills filed by the Metro Planning Department with the intention of executing on recommendations in the department’s housing and infrastructure study returned to a council agenda for the first time in a month, only to once again be deferred until November. —Austin Hornbostel, Nashville Tennessean, 10 Oct. 2025

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