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

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 postpone Consider postponing boating activities on the lake until a day with less wind. Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 10 Oct. 2025 Those shows were set to conclude in May 2020, but eight were postponed due to the pandemic and rescheduled for the following year. Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 10 Oct. 2025 The abrupt cancellation comes just weeks after the singer postponed his Columbus, Ohio, shows in September due to a sudden and severe illness. Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2025 After Dolly Parton postponed her Las Vegas residency in September, her sister Freida took to social media to ask her fans to pray for her. Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for postpone
Recent Examples of Synonyms for postpone
Verb
  • Core questions—borders, sovereignty, refugees—are deferred.
    Mohammed R. Mhawish, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2025
  • According to trade experts, payments on these new tariffs can be deferred until December 10 but the fees will begin applying on October 14.
    Lori Ann LaRocco, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Persons should delay all travel if possible.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2025
  • Should your flight get delayed or canceled, whether through staffing shortages, a technical meltdown or extreme weather (a nor’easter is expected on the East Coast this weekend), CNN Travel has some advice on what to do next.
    Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Postpone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/postpone. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on postpone

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