as in postponing
to assign to a later time
we agreed to defer a discussion of the issue until we had more information
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Recent Examples of deferring
United Airlines would not provide comment when NBC News reached out, deferring instead to law enforcement.
—
Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 7 June 2026
This could include, for instance, decisions slowing down, teams deferring instead of owning and outcomes becoming harder to replicate without leadership's direct involvement.
—Kevin O'Neill, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
But developing what is in place and deferring the pick to another draft could set up a better future.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 13 May 2026
During the operation, doctors said families were canceling appointments and deferring critical healthcare because of the fear of immigration enforcement.
—Beret Leone, CBS News, 11 May 2026
Domestic sales and government largesse are driving the upturn, but activity is still affected by supply chain disruptions and businesses deferring spending.
—Dominic Dudley, semafor.com, 6 May 2026
The ministers warned that deferring the military purchase could compromise Peru’s security interests, but Balcázar said such a large commitment is not for a temporary leader.
—Franklin Briceño, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Gill said the group had also proposed deferring all media inquiries to the Pima County Sheriff's Department.
—Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2026
At the same time, Newsom has proposed deferring funding guaranteed under Proposition 98, the 1988 ballot measure that requires roughly 40 percent of the state’s general fund go to K-12 schools and community colleges.
—Molly Gibbs, Mercury News, 6 Apr. 2026
Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 7 June 2026
This could include, for instance, decisions slowing down, teams deferring instead of owning and outcomes becoming harder to replicate without leadership's direct involvement.
—Kevin O'Neill, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
But developing what is in place and deferring the pick to another draft could set up a better future.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 13 May 2026
During the operation, doctors said families were canceling appointments and deferring critical healthcare because of the fear of immigration enforcement.
—Beret Leone, CBS News, 11 May 2026
Domestic sales and government largesse are driving the upturn, but activity is still affected by supply chain disruptions and businesses deferring spending.
—Dominic Dudley, semafor.com, 6 May 2026
The ministers warned that deferring the military purchase could compromise Peru’s security interests, but Balcázar said such a large commitment is not for a temporary leader.
—Franklin Briceño, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Gill said the group had also proposed deferring all media inquiries to the Pima County Sheriff's Department.
—Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2026
At the same time, Newsom has proposed deferring funding guaranteed under Proposition 98, the 1988 ballot measure that requires roughly 40 percent of the state’s general fund go to K-12 schools and community colleges.
—Molly Gibbs, Mercury News, 6 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deferring
Verb
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Rolling the dice As insurance costs climb, many homeowners are postponing major life decisions and cutting back elsewhere.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
6 June 2026
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The residency marks the Canadian singer’s return to the stage after postponing her past tour due to her stiff-person syndrome diagnosis.—
Maya Georgi,
Rolling Stone,
4 June 2026
Verb
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Hilton proposes to reform the California Environmental Quality Act so that only government prosecutors can sue, preventing private individuals and organizations from stopping or delaying new housing projects.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
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Nearly 40% of calls handled by Sacramento’s emergency medical services system were non-emergencies, tying up ambulances and paramedics, delaying urgent medical responses and adding nearly $5 million in costs to the city, according to a city audit.—
Reeti Malhotra
May 29,
Sacbee.com,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deferring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deferring. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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