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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of delaying
Hilton proposes to reform the California Environmental Quality Act so that only government prosecutors can sue, preventing private individuals and organizations from stopping or delaying new housing projects.
—
Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
Nearly 40% of calls handled by Sacramento’s emergency medical services system were non-emergencies, tying up ambulances and paramedics, delaying urgent medical responses and adding nearly $5 million in costs to the city, according to a city audit.
—Reeti Malhotra
may 29, Sacbee.com, 29 May 2026
That means freezing or delaying nonessential program expansions, eliminating duplicative pilots and consultant-heavy projects, and sweeping long-vacant administrative positions.
—Mercury News Editorial Board, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
Pre-retirees can help accomplish this goal by delaying their retirement date.
—Steve Vernon, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
The Office of Legislative Audits also found that the Medical Care Programs Administration did not process changes to care plans in a timely manner, possibly delaying care for vulnerable patients.
—Danielle J. Brown, Baltimore Sun, 28 May 2026
Historians have written about how the widespread fear and conformity of these periods reshaped American society in enduring ways, including the destruction of progressive political movements and both delaying and muting the Civil Rights Movement itself.
—Bruce Schneier, The Conversation, 27 May 2026
The more than $500 million in savings from delaying the mandate was first announced in a joint press release from Mamdani and Governor Hochul more than two weeks ago.
—Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 27 May 2026
And that could cause localized flash flooding, delaying both ground and air travel.
—Holly Yan, CNN Money, 22 May 2026
Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
Nearly 40% of calls handled by Sacramento’s emergency medical services system were non-emergencies, tying up ambulances and paramedics, delaying urgent medical responses and adding nearly $5 million in costs to the city, according to a city audit.
—Reeti Malhotra
may 29, Sacbee.com, 29 May 2026
That means freezing or delaying nonessential program expansions, eliminating duplicative pilots and consultant-heavy projects, and sweeping long-vacant administrative positions.
—Mercury News Editorial Board, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
Pre-retirees can help accomplish this goal by delaying their retirement date.
—Steve Vernon, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
The Office of Legislative Audits also found that the Medical Care Programs Administration did not process changes to care plans in a timely manner, possibly delaying care for vulnerable patients.
—Danielle J. Brown, Baltimore Sun, 28 May 2026
Historians have written about how the widespread fear and conformity of these periods reshaped American society in enduring ways, including the destruction of progressive political movements and both delaying and muting the Civil Rights Movement itself.
—Bruce Schneier, The Conversation, 27 May 2026
The more than $500 million in savings from delaying the mandate was first announced in a joint press release from Mamdani and Governor Hochul more than two weeks ago.
—Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 27 May 2026
And that could cause localized flash flooding, delaying both ground and air travel.
—Holly Yan, CNN Money, 22 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for delaying
Verb
-
But behind the courteous gesture, there are lingering concerns of how overtourism might impact Ishigaki’s rich natural environment and potentially overwhelm its infrastructure, concerns that extend to other neighboring remote islands.—
Wayne Chang,
CNN Money,
3 June 2026
-
Many guests and patrons are regulars, lingering over martinis as a fireplace crackles in the background.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Mark had hired a photographer and revolved the engagement around a special place close to both his and Jess' hearts, so postponing the proposal wouldn't do anyone any favors.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
PEOPLE,
27 May 2026
-
Consider postponing boating activities on the lake until a day with less wind.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
25 May 2026
Verb
-
Instead of running quietly in the background, sleep evangelists are shouting about its importance from the rooftops, and neuroscientists are dragging it out into the light of day on TED Talk stages for further dissection.—
Sharon Brandwein,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
-
Nasdaq shares tumbled more than 5% in the session, dragging the stock into the red week to date.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
This could include, for instance, decisions slowing down, teams deferring instead of owning and outcomes becoming harder to replicate without leadership's direct involvement.—
Kevin O'Neill,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
-
But developing what is in place and deferring the pick to another draft could set up a better future.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
In partnership with Underdog, a popular daily fantasy sports (DFS) and pick'em betting platform, Brooks revealed a one-of-a-kind board game poking fun at SGA.—
Jon Root OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
22 May 2026
-
Plenty of skilled directors can manipulate tension and fear while still poking us toward nervous laughter.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
The Thursday night group was seen leaving about three hours afterward, according to the NYPD, while the second odd circumstance ended after individuals were seen crawling out and leaving in a vehicle more than two and a half hours after.—
Amethyst Martinez,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
-
Toddlers and babies spend their days at floor level, crawling through dust, putting hands and objects in their mouths, and breathing air closer to the ground than anyone else.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Delaying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/delaying. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
