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 His cause of death was deferred. —

Rachel Desantis, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026 Potential shortages and rising jet fuel costs have led some airlines to cut their flight schedules — potentially upending plans for those who must find alternative flights or choose to defer or cancel their travel altogether. —

Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2026 In 2024, the FCC gave AST SpaceMobile partial clearance to operate its first five BlueBird satellites, but deferred on the company’s request to offer satellite-to-phone services. —

Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 21 Apr. 2026 The tradeoff has been rhythm — knowing when to attack and when to defer. —

Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for defer

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defer

Verb

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has postponed all final exams and assignments after an online learning system was taken offline following a cyberattack.

— William Lee, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026
Though they were initially supposed to head to trial this March, Lively and Baldoni’s case was postponed to later this month.

— Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 9 May 2026