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

Tools to postpone payments can be ‘critical’ Deferments and forbearances can help student loan borrowers avoid the harsh consequences of falling behind on their bills, consumer advocates said. —Annie Nova, CNBC, 7 Sep. 2025

The strike has also affected major events, with some concerts originally scheduled this week, including Coldplay and Post Malone, postponed. —Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025

Several Fort Worth-area football teams had their games shortened, postponed or canceled Friday. —Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Sep. 2025

Organizers of a parade in the nearby city of Waukegan have postponed their event due to safety concerns, while a Saturday parade in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood will have volunteers stationed along the route with whistles and radios as a precaution. —Rachel Treisman, NPR, 5 Sep. 2025