1
as in lingering
to move or act slowly
she ordered the kids to stop delaying and to get to bed
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Are clients delaying decisions on big investments?
—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Others called it a performative move that contrasts with the EPA’s recent regulatory actions, including a rollback of mercury emissions standards, rescinding drinking water limits for certain PFAS and delaying Biden-era restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions.
—Erika Edwards, NBC news, 2 Apr. 2026
This may mean skipping breakfast or delaying the first meal until later in the day, and then stopping consumption at a certain time.
—Ashley Olivine, Verywell Health, 2 Apr. 2026
And the states have been delaying their reporting to obscure the oncoming crisis.
—Terry Savage, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
According to the Haley's attorney's, John Haley was also denied visitation to his family for 30 days while in hospital custody following the May shooting incident, delaying him from getting the proper care needed for recovery.
—Janay Reece, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2026
Judge Gregory Carro had floated the idea of delaying it only if the federal trial was delayed first.
—Michael Ruiz , Maria Paronich, FOXNews.com, 1 Apr. 2026
The driver was booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and obstructing or delaying an officer, police said.
—Sydney Barragan, Oc Register, 27 Mar. 2026
But delaying conversations does not protect our loved ones, especially in a health care system that too often delays or minimizes brain health concerns.
—Shon Lowe, Twin Cities, 26 Mar. 2026
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Others called it a performative move that contrasts with the EPA’s recent regulatory actions, including a rollback of mercury emissions standards, rescinding drinking water limits for certain PFAS and delaying Biden-era restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions.
—Erika Edwards, NBC news, 2 Apr. 2026
This may mean skipping breakfast or delaying the first meal until later in the day, and then stopping consumption at a certain time.
—Ashley Olivine, Verywell Health, 2 Apr. 2026
And the states have been delaying their reporting to obscure the oncoming crisis.
—Terry Savage, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
According to the Haley's attorney's, John Haley was also denied visitation to his family for 30 days while in hospital custody following the May shooting incident, delaying him from getting the proper care needed for recovery.
—Janay Reece, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2026
Judge Gregory Carro had floated the idea of delaying it only if the federal trial was delayed first.
—Michael Ruiz , Maria Paronich, FOXNews.com, 1 Apr. 2026
The driver was booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and obstructing or delaying an officer, police said.
—Sydney Barragan, Oc Register, 27 Mar. 2026
But delaying conversations does not protect our loved ones, especially in a health care system that too often delays or minimizes brain health concerns.
—Shon Lowe, Twin Cities, 26 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for delaying
Verb
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Just the check, the soft clatter of plates and that lingering smell of basil and coconut that follows you out the door.—
Timothy DePeugh,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2026
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The children are now in the fourth grade, but Thompson believes their friend’s death has had a lingering impact on their lives.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Washington’s business-first approach offers material order in exchange for indefinitely postponing democratic aspirations.—
Boris Muñoz,
Time,
3 Apr. 2026
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Exporters said that the decision reflected the gravity of the situation; postponing the events was unavoidable.—
Mayu Saini,
Sourcing Journal,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Two days later, Gomes Akay was seen dragging a large suitcase that appeared to be overfilled from the hotel.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
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Gomes Akay was seen two days later dragging a large suitcase from the hotel.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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His deal would have funded TSA, FEMA, and the Coast Guard immediately, while deferring the fight over ICE to a later vote.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
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Burroughs said implementing an administrative stay and deferring ruling on the postponement gives both sides time to file briefs on the emergency motion.—
Ubah Ali,
CBS News,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Upon the umpteenth retelling, Jules (Jeff Wilbusch)—who witnessed the gory death of Rachel’s mother (Victoria Pedretti) as a little boy and therefore wholeheartedly believes in the curse—begins poking holes in the story.—
Sam Reed,
Glamour,
2 Apr. 2026
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While the 1930s and 1940s did see some instances of carnival poking fun at the tyranny of the Nazi regime (none of which, it should be noted, went unpunished), Birdsall and other scholars maintain that the festival was, first and foremost, an avenue for propaganda.—
Tim Brinkhof,
JSTOR Daily,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The town was crawling with boy band members, Mickey Mouse Clubbers and future Disney Channel stars.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Apr. 2026
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An 18-month-old child sustained minor injuries after crawling under a fence at Zoo America in Pennsylvania and approaching a wolf enclosure.—
Kayla Hayempour,
NBC news,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Delaying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/delaying. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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