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

In May, the agency proposed delaying emission standards set to kick in for new light- and medium-duty cars and trucks starting with model year 2027. — Bloomberg, Oc Register, 9 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

Qatar is delaying plans to ramp up LNG production after attacks on vessels near the Strait of Hormuz renewed fears of shipping through the waterway. — Tasneem Nashrulla, semafor.com, 9 July 2026

The woman was arrested on suspicion of resisting, delaying or obstructing a law enforcement officer and resisting a law enforcement officer with violence. — Jason Green, Mercury News, 8 July 2026

But as anyone who has lingered too long in a dentist’s chair or auto shop knows, delaying maintenance only leads to far costlier repairs. — Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 8 July 2026

According to Tweet, some companies have already begun delaying hiring and investment. — Peter Su, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

Some workers were granted exemptions, and a handful of departments were delaying implementation of the governor’s mandate. — Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026

Hayes was also charged with resisting, obstructing, or delaying a peace officer, as were Katherine Legros, 33; and Daniel Macias-Gomez, 23. — Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 1 July 2026