Synonyms of delay

delay 1 of 2

noun

di-ˈlā 

as in wait

an instance or period of being prevented from going about one's business

there was a delay for our boarding while the airplane unloaded incoming passengers

Synonyms & Similar Words

• wait
• holdup
• postponement
• detention
• deferral
• pause
• setback
• lag
• deferment
• hesitation
• slowdown
• detainment
• holding pattern
• holdback
• respite
• foot-dragging
• reprieve

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rush
• haste
• dispatch
• promptness
• promptitude

delay

2 of 2

verb

1

as in to linger

to move or act slowly

she ordered the kids to stop delaying and to get to bed

Synonyms & Similar Words

• linger
• drag
• crawl
• poke
• lag
• creep
• dawdle
• mark time
• fall behind
• stroll
• play
• loiter
• hang fire
• drop behind
• shuffle
• stall
• tarry
• diddle
• mope
• lollygag
• dillydally
• stagger
• idle
• lounge
• shilly-shally
• take one's time
• dally
• drag one's feet
• fool around
• hang (around or out)
• trifle
• fiddle (around)
• mess around
• potter (around)
• slow (down or up)
• putter (around)
• decelerate
• temporize
• ease
• loaf
• amble
• monkey (around)
• saunter
• procrastinate
• inch
• loll
• filibuster
• plod
• lumber

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hurry
• rush
• course
• hasten
• speed
• race
• career
• tear
• fly
• run
• rocket
• rip
• dash
• scurry
• bolt
• breeze
• whirl
• whisk
• scoot
• barrel
• scramble
• zip
• hustle
• stampede
• hump
• accelerate
• hurtle
• dart
• run
• whiz
• sprint
• gallop
• jog
• speed (up)
• quicken
• scud
• hotfoot (it)
• trot
• overtake
• catch up
• bowl
• outrun
• outstrip
• outpace
• fast-forward

2

as in to postpone

to assign to a later time

our guests delayed their departure until after dinner

Synonyms & Similar Words

• postpone
• defer
• wait
• put over
• put off
• remit
• hesitate
• lay over
• shelve
• hold over
• hold off (on)
• suspend
• slow
• pause
• hold up
• retard
• prolong
• lengthen
• stay
• stretch (out)
• detain
• extend
• protract

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• do
• act
• work (on)
• deal (with)
• decide (upon)

Synonym Chooser

How is the word delay different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of delay are dally, dawdle, lag, loiter, and procrastinate. While all these words mean "to move or act slowly so as to fall behind," delay usually implies a putting off of something (such as a beginning or departure).

we cannot delay any longer

Where would dally be a reasonable alternative to delay?

The words dally and delay can be used in similar contexts, but dally suggests delay through trifling or vacillation when promptness is necessary.

stop dallying and get to work

When can lag be used instead of delay?

In some situations, the words lag and delay are roughly equivalent. However, lag implies failure to maintain a speed set by others.

lagging behind in technology

How do loiter and dawdle relate to one another, in the sense of delay?

Both loiter and dawdle imply delay while in progress, especially in walking, but dawdle more clearly suggests an aimless wasting of time.

loitered at several store windows

children dawdling on their way home from school

When is procrastinate a more appropriate choice than delay?

The synonyms procrastinate and delay are sometimes interchangeable, but procrastinate implies blameworthy delay especially through laziness or apathy.

procrastinates about making decisions

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of delay

Noun

The problem for Apple is that its AI efforts to date have been filled with embarrassing missteps and delays. —Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 30 Jan. 2026

Thursday afternoon, Metra commuters made a run for rides home, finding trains on time, even after warnings of possible delays. —Sara MacHi, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026

Verb

The total number of flights canceled or delayed at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport rose to nearly 1,000 midway through Saturday, with the weather not expected to let up until the evening. —Emily Broyles, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2026

As long as the grass is a good green color delay the application until late February or early March. —Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2026