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

There are also more Mardi Gras parties, including the big parade and fireworks show at the Wharf, postponed from February 15. —Fritz Hahn, Washington Post, 19 Feb. 2026

Firefly initially scheduled its return to flight for this week, but company officials said the launch was postponed because of possible severe weather. —Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 19 Feb. 2026

And lastly, in a Chelsea three-peat, read more about why next week’s ACIP meeting might be postponed. —Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 19 Feb. 2026

Based on the social media post by Fantastique Events, the event has been postponed to 2027. —Erin Jones, CBS News, 19 Feb. 2026