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

Eventually, bills come due from such decisions (including deferring the 2025 first-rounder due to the Thunder this June). —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 13 May 2025

After deferring his decision last week, Broward Circuit Judge John Murphy on Thursday denied Melly’s bid to be released from jail before his retrial. —Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 12 May 2025

Olivia debates throwing her point to her top alliance Aja, who already has three points from winning the lip-sync, but defers her point to her secondary alliance Deja in order to not ruffle any feathers. —Chris Feil, Vulture, 9 May 2025

Ticketmaster deferred revenue was $270 million, up 13 percent compared to 2024. —Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 1 May 2025

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