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

Today's top stories Vice President Vance is postponing his trip to Switzerland, where he was set to negotiate terms of a peace agreement with Iran. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 19 June 2026

Advertisement Lebanese broadcaster Al Mayadeen reported that Iran’s delegation postponed their travel to Switzerland due to the hostilities in Lebanon. — Callum Sutherland, Time, 19 June 2026

Despite a 60-day deadline to hammer out details of the truce, Washington and Tehran said further negotiations would be postponed indefinitely. — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 19 June 2026

This phenomenon arises from the stress of unresolved, postponed difficult decisions in today's uncertain economic and technological landscape, particularly with rapid AI advancements. — Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026