Synonyms of delayed

delayed 1 of 3

adjective

as in belated

Related Words

• belated
• late
• posthumous
• postmortem

delayed

2 of 3

adverb

as in postponed

Related Words

• postponed
• deferred
• suspended

Dissimilar Words

• afoot
• under weigh
• under way

delayed

3 of 3

verb

past tense of delay

1

as in lingered

to move or act slowly

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• lingered
• dragged
• crawled
• poked
• lagged
• stalled
• dawdled
• crept
• played
• strolled
• shuffled
• loitered
• dropped behind
• fell behind
• hung fire
• marked time
• tarried
• lollygagged
• diddled
• staggered
• moped
• dallied
• dillydallied
• idled
• took one's time
• shilly-shallied
• dragged one's feet
• lounged
• fooled around
• decelerated
• hung (around or out)
• trifled
• fiddled (around)
• procrastinated
• messed around
• slowed (down or up)
• pottered (around)
• puttered (around)
• eased
• sauntered
• temporized
• ambled
• loafed
• inched
• monkeyed (around)
• lumbered
• filibustered
• lolled
• plodded

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hurried
• rushed
• hastened
• sped
• flew
• dashed
• ripped
• ran
• raced
• bolted
• scurried
• whisked
• whizzed
• whirled
• tore
• coursed
• rocketed
• scrambled
• zipped
• scooted
• barreled
• hustled
• accelerated
• scudded
• darted
• hurtled
• humped
• breezed
• stampeded
• bowled
• ran
• trotted
• careered
• hotfooted (it)
• quickened
• galloped
• jogged
• sprinted
• sped (up)
• outstripped
• outpaced
• overtook
• caught up
• outran
• fast-forwarded

2

as in deferred

to assign to a later time

our guests delayed their departure until after dinner

Synonyms & Similar Words

• postponed
• deferred
• shelved
• suspended
• remitted
• put off
• laid over
• held over
• put over
• waited
• held off (on)
• slowed
• paused
• hesitated
• prolonged
• held up
• lengthened
• stayed
• retarded
• detained
• stretched (out)
• extended
• protracted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• did
• worked (on)
• decided (upon)
• acted
• dealt (with)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of delayed

Adjective

The Real Problem Is The Ripple A delayed flight is easy to detect. — Ishraq Khan, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

In that trial, rings of contacts of cases, as well as contacts of the contacts, were randomized to either get the vaccine immediately or on a delayed basis. — Helen Branswell, STAT, 12 Aug. 2026

Ahead of the commissioners’ discussion and delayed vote, there was a flood of opposition from residents, politicians and voting right groups. — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Aug. 2026

The impact is already being felt across various regions, from a delayed start to the Indian monsoon to a temporary halt to Peru’s fishing season. — Bloomberg, Fortune, 21 June 2026

That meant a delayed return to full activities. — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 9 June 2026

In a statement provided to KDKA-TV, Allegheny County said that a malfunction led to the delayed opening. — Jessica Riley, CBS News, 8 June 2026

The Metro-North Platform in Stamford The Stamford train platform is not exactly poetry — unless your idea of romance involves delayed commuters, laptop bags, and people silently negotiating personal space. — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 27 May 2026

Other misconceptions have led to frustration and fear and delayed diagnosis. — Michelle Seguin, EverydayHealth.com, 13 May 2026

Verb

The game was delayed 88 minutes by rain in the eighth inning. — CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026

The Braves lost to the Twins, 4-2, in the series opener, a game delayed 51 minutes because of inclement weather and then began with an opening frame that probably had Braves faithful wishing there’d been a lengthier postponement. — Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 18 Aug. 2026

What The Delay Actually Moved The reporting on the delay has seemingly done readers a disservice by not giving enough scope about what was delayed. — Kuan Archer, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

MetLife, an outdoor venue, was drenched, and the start was delayed. — Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2026

Sentencing was tentatively scheduled for Monday, although the hearing is likely to be delayed to another date. — City News Service, Daily News, 18 Aug. 2026

Our flight there had been canceled, then the rebooked flight was delayed, as was our flight home. — Eve Chen, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026

Downed trees and power lines are the reasons why the Duneland School Corporation has delayed the start of school until at least Thursday. — Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026

Each step introduces friction — points where patients may be delayed, confused, or lost in the process entirely. — Jeffrey Millstein, STAT, 11 Aug. 2026