Synonyms of postpone

postpone

verb

(ˌ)pōs(t)-ˈpōn 

as in to defer

to assign to a later time

we'll have to postpone a decision until we have all the information

Synonyms & Similar Words

• defer
• delay
• wait
• suspend
• shelve
• hesitate
• put over
• put off
• remit
• lay over
• hold over
• hold off (on)
• pause
• stay
• prolong
• slow
• hold up
• extend
• lengthen
• retard
• detain
• stretch (out)
• protract

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• do
• act
• work (on)
• deal (with)
• decide (upon)

Synonym Chooser

How is the word postpone distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of postpone are defer, stay, and suspend. While all these words mean "to delay an action or proceeding," postpone implies an intentional deferring usually to a definite time.

the game is postponed until Saturday

Where would defer be a reasonable alternative to postpone?

The meanings of defer and postpone largely overlap; however, defer implies a deliberate putting off to a later time.

deferred buying a car until spring

In what contexts can stay take the place of postpone?

While in some cases nearly identical to postpone, stay often suggests the stopping or checking by an intervening agency or authority.

the governor stayed the execution

When can suspend be used instead of postpone?

While the synonyms suspend and postpone are close in meaning, suspend implies temporary stoppage with an added suggestion of waiting until some condition is satisfied.

business will be suspended while repairs are underway

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of postpone

Weather or unforeseen events could postpone these closures, the release states. —Nwa Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 25 Apr. 2025

The China tariffs in particular, which have since ran up to 145 percent, have spooked U.S. importers into cancelling or postponing shipments en masse until the situation is clearer. —Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 24 Apr. 2025

In the ruling in Maryland, U.S. District Judge Stephanie Gallagher postponed that memo. —Holly Ramer, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2025

Concert postponed after Carlos Santana becomes ill The legendary musician experienced a medical emergency and was taken to a hospital on Tuesday just before a performance in San Antonio. —Jade Walker, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2025