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

Some analysts are also speculating that the Nike Investors Day slated for this fall will likely be postponed until next year to give Denton a chance to get acclimated to his new firm and learn more about operations. — Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 26 June 2026

Those who keep postponing the conversation risk leaving their heirs not a fortune but a locked archive whose contents can only be guessed at. — Sergey Stopnevich, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026

Now Richie’s Friday show in Chicago and Saturday show in Columbus, Ohio, have both been postponed, according to a statement from Chicago’s United Center. — Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 26 June 2026

Because these purchases can often be postponed, economists watch durable goods orders for clues about future economic activity. — Doug Ashburn, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 June 2026