Synonyms of delaying

delaying

verb

present participle of delay

1

as in lingering

to move or act slowly

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• lingering
• dragging
• poking
• crawling
• stalling
• creeping
• lagging
• strolling
• playing
• dawdling
• loitering
• shuffling
• tarrying
• falling behind
• diddling
• dropping behind
• hanging fire
• marking time
• lollygagging
• moping
• dillydallying
• dallying
• idling
• lounging
• staggering
• shilly-shallying
• taking one's time
• dragging one's feet
• trifling
• fiddling (around)
• loafing
• hanging (around or out)
• inching
• fooling around
• puttering (around)
• decelerating
• sauntering
• pottering (around)
• easing
• messing around
• ambling
• procrastinating
• monkeying (around)
• temporizing
• slowing (down or up)
• lolling
• filibustering
• plodding
• lumbering

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hastening
• hurrying
• rushing
• tearing
• speeding
• running
• flying
• ripping
• racing
• scurrying
• bolting
• dashing
• whirling
• barreling
• zipping
• whizzing
• coursing
• whisking
• scrambling
• scooting
• rocketing
• careering
• scudding
• darting
• hustling
• hurtling
• running
• accelerating
• stampeding
• humping
• breezing
• bowling
• galloping
• sprinting
• trotting
• jogging
• quickening
• hotfooting (it)
• speeding (up)
• overtaking
• outstripping
• outrunning
• outpacing
• catching up
• fast-forwarding

2

as in postponing

to assign to a later time

our guests delayed their departure until after dinner

Synonyms & Similar Words

• postponing
• deferring
• waiting
• shelving
• holding over
• remitting
• suspending
• putting off
• hesitating
• slowing
• holding off (on)
• putting over
• pausing
• prolonging
• laying over
• retarding
• lengthening
• holding up
• staying
• detaining
• stretching (out)
• extending
• protracting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• doing
• working (on)
• acting
• dealing (with)
• deciding (upon)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of delaying

The significance of the phase 3 data extends beyond delaying a recurrence, doctors said. — Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026

According to the county staff report, delaying repairs for a formal bidding process could increase the risk of additional sinkholes, ground collapse and property damage. — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026

There have been some signs of tensions easing after Kyiv accused the US of limiting intelligence sharing on incoming Russian missiles, slowing down vital Starlink services and delaying weapon supplies. — Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2026

The abnormal warmth is also delaying the changing of many tree leaves, and could bring health implications for plants across the Midwest and certain organisms living in the Great Lakes. — Finnegan Belleau, Chicago Tribune, 21 Oct. 2026

Meanwhile, the disruption affected the video system used for remote court hearings across England and Wales, potentially delaying proceedings involving defendants appearing remotely. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026

There are other potential problems that can arise from delaying a harvest, too. — Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 20 Oct. 2026

The couple revealed exclusively to PEOPLE that their new rescue pup — whose name may or may not be Javi — is undergoing treatment for a parasite, delaying his arrival at their New York City home. — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2026

The daughter, Shannon Amos, faults her brother, Kelly Christopher Amos, for delaying medical care while isolating the actor from his family and friends in the years leading up to his death. — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026