DELAY Synonyms: 142 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

delay 1 of 2

noun

di-ˈlā

Definition of delay

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

delay

2 of 2

verb

as in to linger

to move or act slowly she ordered the kids to stop delaying and to get to bed

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to postpone

to assign to a later time our guests delayed their departure until after dinner

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 delay

Noun

First phase work requires engineers to evaluate the intersection’s current setup and and plan for how a roundabout will improve traffic flow and reduce delays, city officials said. — Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026 Middle East schedules have undoubtedly affected Heathrow’s position, with Istanbul often serving as an alternative to hubs that experienced flight cancellations and delays as the conflict persisted. — Connor Sturges, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Sep. 2026

Verb

According to Data Center Watch, at least 75 data center projects worth roughly $130 billion have already been blocked or delayed this year as the backlash spreads. — Kevin Williams, CNBC, 26 Sep. 2026 More than 1,000 flights were canceled Saturday with thousands more delayed, according to data from FlightAware. — Scott Simon, NPR, 26 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for delay

Recent Examples of Synonyms for delay

Noun

Choose the task that benefits most from your attention and let something less important wait.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 25 Sep. 2026
But the highly competitive pricing figures to be worth the wait for current VR headset users and folks who've been intrigued by the Vision Pro but have held off due to the aforementioned drawbacks.

— Zev Fima, CNBC, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of wait

Verb

But one of them, perhaps too slow, or too confused, lingered a second longer, and the claw opened and snapped shut.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
As the duo row through pitch-black darkness toward the flame, John experiences harrowing visions of his father and of his younger self, revealed to be an effect of the fear toxin lingering in the air.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of linger

Verb

Both buyers and sellers remain trapped in a wait and see stance, further dragging on a US housing market that has been stagnant for nearly four years.

— , CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026
Many outside analysts think that the conflict will drag on for longer and end with negotiations rather than with a clear winner.

— Ali Vaez, Foreign Affairs, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of drag

Verb

Sometimes only the tips of the reeds and the seed heads were visible, poking above the murky water, and other times the reeds stood fully exposed, with a clear view of crabs clambering around their bases.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
Video posted to social media showed one car nearly submerged, with just its sunroof poking above the water, as people moved other vehicles farther from the rising tides.

— Leah Willingham, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of poke

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dekes

delay

delayed

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“Delay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/delay. Accessed 30 Sep. 2026.

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verb

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