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 ground stop was lifted after less than an hour, but delays continued to mount. — Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 10 July 2026

Drivers are advised to expect delays and seek an alternate route. — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 July 2026

Verb

The extreme heat prompted officials to cancel Saturday morning’s Independence Day parade late Friday, while the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall was delayed. — Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 4 July 2026

The mass demonstrations delayed AfD's vote, prompting Chrupalla to criticize the method in which agitators expressed their dissatisfaction. — Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2026