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

Internet in the air is both a concrete advancement that’s mature and widespread, and a conceptual one frequently deferred into the future. —Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 25 July 2025

Spring Hill's board has deferred a second reading on the measure to August so officials could gather more information. —Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 28 July 2025

Even as police do their job, cases are dropped, charges are delayed, and justice is deferred. —Marc Molinaro, New York Daily News, 25 July 2025

According to Nightengale, the original contract was heavily deferred ($11.4 million annually), with Strasburg scheduled to receive $26.5 million in 2027, 2028, and 2029. —Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 23 July 2025

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