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

Salernitana had been due to host Frosinone in the first leg of the play-off on Monday, May 19, with the return leg the following week but both matches have now been postponed amidst the uncertainty. —James Horncastle, New York Times, 20 May 2025

He’s forced to postpone his wedding due to the death of his relatives in Gaza – embodying the suffering of an entire generation that has grown up in exile over the decades and within Palestinian refugee camps. —Marta Balaga, Variety, 20 May 2025

In a 7-5 vote, the council decided to postpone the vote until June 2. —Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 19 May 2025

Members were scheduled to hold a news conference on May 15 but it was postponed as House lawmakers push up against a key deadline for the passage of House bills. —Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 May 2025