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 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 See All Example Sentences for defer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defer
Verb
  • Trump nominated him in May to lead the office of special counsel, but his appointment was postponed.
    Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
  • The Lysons are fighting the charges, have asked for a jury trial and the case was recently postponed until December.
    Keith Matheny, Freep.com, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In recent years, some Wyandotte residents have tried to get the government to delay or cancel its tax sales, which usually happen twice a year, to prevent people who have struggled to pay sky-rocketing property tax bills from losing their family homes.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 18 Oct. 2025
  • The continued closure of the Rafah crossing is preventing delivery of equipment needed to find dead hostages and will therefore delay recovery efforts, Hamas said, according to Reuters.
    Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Defer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defer. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

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