1
as in lingering
to move or act slowly
she ordered the kids to stop delaying and to get to bed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in postponing
to assign to a later time
our guests delayed their departure until after dinner
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of delaying
Since oxygen is the culprit, the trick to delaying the browning process is to shield the flesh from oxygen exposure.
—
Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 10 Jan. 2026
But a weaker-than-expected first quarterly earnings report in September was followed a week later by a testing explosion that destroyed a rocket stage — delaying an upcoming launch — and sent the company’s stock plummeting to about $20.
—Paul Flahive, Austin American Statesman, 9 Jan. 2026
As Cuenca plays a ball to the feet of his striker, Wilson dashes in the other direction, delaying Ibrahima Konate’s forward jump because the centre-back knows Bradley is unable to track both him and Robinson at the same time.
—Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
While jailed, Braddy also became known for delaying his first trial by going through 10 lawyers and, at one point, representing himself.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 7 Jan. 2026
There has been a lot of misinformation related to delaying vaccination in children.
—Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 7 Jan. 2026
Apple was supposed to launch the next generation of its Siri AI assistant last year, but the company wound up delaying that release.
—Jennifer Elias, CNBC, 7 Jan. 2026
While many campuses were delaying scholarship decisions until the government resolved problems with a new financial aid form, Swarthmore used other data to figure out applicants’ financial need.
—Collin Binkley, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2026
These cuts mean reducing supply budgets in most departments, delaying the purchase of new math curriculum and Chromebooks, freezing hiring for nonclassroom positions and canceling contract agreements that will not disrupt operations.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 7 Nov. 2025
Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 10 Jan. 2026
But a weaker-than-expected first quarterly earnings report in September was followed a week later by a testing explosion that destroyed a rocket stage — delaying an upcoming launch — and sent the company’s stock plummeting to about $20.
—Paul Flahive, Austin American Statesman, 9 Jan. 2026
As Cuenca plays a ball to the feet of his striker, Wilson dashes in the other direction, delaying Ibrahima Konate’s forward jump because the centre-back knows Bradley is unable to track both him and Robinson at the same time.
—Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
While jailed, Braddy also became known for delaying his first trial by going through 10 lawyers and, at one point, representing himself.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 7 Jan. 2026
There has been a lot of misinformation related to delaying vaccination in children.
—Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 7 Jan. 2026
Apple was supposed to launch the next generation of its Siri AI assistant last year, but the company wound up delaying that release.
—Jennifer Elias, CNBC, 7 Jan. 2026
While many campuses were delaying scholarship decisions until the government resolved problems with a new financial aid form, Swarthmore used other data to figure out applicants’ financial need.
—Collin Binkley, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2026
These cuts mean reducing supply budgets in most departments, delaying the purchase of new math curriculum and Chromebooks, freezing hiring for nonclassroom positions and canceling contract agreements that will not disrupt operations.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 7 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for delaying
Verb
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Ultimately, however, the lingering impact of being dragged last summer is known only to the officer – who is said to be experienced, with more than 10 years of service as an ICE deportation officer, according to DHS.—
Mark Morales,
CNN Money,
10 Jan. 2026
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The lingering fear of Jerry's wrath?—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Consider postponing boating activities on the lake until a day with less wind.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
8 Jan. 2026
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Read All About It Nick Reiner’s lawyer withdrew from the case, postponing an arraignment hearing on the killings of movie director Rob and his wife Michele.—
Kayla Hayempour,
NBC news,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Kerra, the dog referenced in the video, had developed a grapefruit-sized mass on her breast tissue that was dragging on the ground and causing significant discomfort.—
J.D. Miles,
CBS News,
7 Jan. 2026
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That takes nothing away, though, from the epic job Herbert did dragging the Chargers through the second half of the season.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Hoyer made amends for his quiet winter by signing Bregman and acquiring starting pitcher Edward Cabrera in the same week, and Ricketts was absolved by finally opening his wallet and deferring $70 million like a real large-market owner.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Jan. 2026
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But as IndieWire’s Ben Travers explained in his Season 2 review, the latest installments get bogged down by world-building and franchise positioning — effectively deferring emotional resolution and narrative momentum too long for a game or a TV show.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
19 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The former child actor dove into his speech by first poking fun at his Home Alone fame.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Jan. 2026
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In June 2021, Megan posted a birthday tribute to Stellan, poking fun at his lack of an Instagram account in the caption.—
Kelsey Lentz,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The country is crawling with hot springs and spa retreats, like the famed Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
14 Jan. 2026
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My favorite space is the private balcony, crawling with green Spanish tile and bestowed with a bistro table and ashtray.—
Charlie Hobbs,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Delaying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/delaying. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
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