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

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has suddenly postponed a meeting for another key federal advisory panel responsible for making health recommendations on preventative care. —Adrianna Rodriguez, USA Today, 9 July 2025

Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, postponed a trip to Israel in June to address the Israeli parliament, known as the Knesset, as war broke out with Iran. —Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 8 July 2025

Matthew Boyd, who pitches Sunday in the series finale against St. Louis, could go Friday in New York on his usual rest, giving Counsel the option of postponing the decision until next Saturday. —Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2025

China had postponed the conclusion of the cognac probe twice, as the two sides tried to resolve the alcohol and EV spats, among others. —Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 4 July 2025