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

Joseph Felix Badio’s arraignment and detention hearing were postponed after his attorney, Lauren Krasnoff, filed a motion to withdraw because of a potential conflict. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 28 Sep. 2026

For those with eligible gains, Opportunity Zones shouldn’t just postpone tax, but also help investors decide where those gains can work most effectively and have the greatest impact for years, or even decades, to come. — Fernando Jimenez, Forbes.com, 28 Sep. 2026

Consequently, it was postponed again until July, but Duro appealed the decision once more. — Pau Mosquera, CNN Money, 27 Sep. 2026

Organizers postponed Saturday's Old 4th Ward Unity Event in Annapolis. — Kaicey Baylor, CBS News, 27 Sep. 2026