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

Crabtree said in his order that the court shared the government’s concerns about delaying the proceedings. — Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 17 July 2026

Still, Goldman acknowledged that delaying an IVF procedure isn’t exactly an easy thing to do. — Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026

Democratic leadership cited the ongoing war on Iran as the primary justification for delaying the bill’s progress. — Julia Gledhill, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

As much as the hero of Homer’s tale could blame Poseidon’s and Zeus’ machinations for delaying his journey, the movie Odysseus can only look inward. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 17 July 2026

The collapse of the interim peace deal between the US and Iran is delaying any recovery in crucial economic sectors for Gulf countries, including aviation, energy, tourism, and real estate. — Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 15 July 2026

The spokesperson said on July 15 that more than half of field offices have them, with the remaining half of field offices are expected to receive cameras within 60 days, and blamed Democrats for government shutdowns delaying the rollout. — Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 15 July 2026

If your tomato plant is absorbing too much nitrogen, this can encourage vigorous leaf and stem growth, delaying flowering and fruit production. — Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 15 July 2026

But, for older men with no pain or discomfort, doctors may suggest watchful waiting, delaying surgery until the need is clear. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 9 July 2026