DEFERS Synonyms: 28 Similar and Opposite Words

defers

verb

present tense third-person singular of defer

as in postpones

to assign to a later time we agreed to defer a discussion of the issue until we had more information

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 defers Quinn defers on the proposal but starts seeing Oliver in their new setting, creating the love triangle. — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 24 July 2026 While this strategic pivot defers short-term revenue and creates market uncertainty, with full returns anticipated by 2027, it's seen as a calculated gamble to build a larger future revenue stream and expand its competitive edge. — Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026 Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani’s 10-year, $700-million contract defers all but $2 million of his annual salary until after the contract expires. — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026 The agreement defers many of the hardest questions — including how to wind down Iran’s nuclear program — until the 60-day negotiation period for a final deal. — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2026 White often has been tight-lipped regarding her players’ injuries and repeatedly defers questions to the medical staff, which isn’t allowed to speak publicly about players’ health. — James Boyd, New York Times, 23 May 2026 When one person defers financial control to another, power concentrates in one place. — Jillian Sanders, Time, 22 Apr. 2026 Postponing elections thus also defers possibilities for political transformation. — Jasmin Lilian Diab, The Conversation, 5 Apr. 2026 Depending on how long the renter defers part of the payment, Livble’s fees can translate into effective annual percentage rates of roughly 104% to 139%. — Ken Sweet, Fortune, 4 Feb. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defers

Verb

Every unnecessary year spent waiting for approvals delays investment, slows industrial growth and postpones the benefits of lower-cost, cleaner electricity.

— Andreas Schierenbeck, Fortune, 27 July 2026
If that postpones $3–5 billion of annual future cash flow and requires $3–5 billion of continuing engineering and development expenditure, the present-value effect can approach $10–20 billion.

— Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026