procrastinate

Definition of procrastinatenext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word procrastinate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of procrastinate are dally, dawdle, delay, lag, and loiter. While all these words mean "to move or act slowly so as to fall behind," procrastinate implies blameworthy delay especially through laziness or apathy.

procrastinates about making decisions

When could dally be used to replace procrastinate?

While the synonyms dally and procrastinate are close in meaning, dally suggests delay through trifling or vacillation when promptness is necessary.

stop dallying and get to work

When might delay be a better fit than procrastinate?

In some situations, the words delay and procrastinate are roughly equivalent. However, delay usually implies a putting off of something (such as a beginning or departure).

we cannot delay any longer

When can lag be used instead of procrastinate?

While in some cases nearly identical to procrastinate, lag implies failure to maintain a speed set by others.

lagging behind in technology

How are the words loiter and dawdle related as synonyms of procrastinate?

Both loiter and dawdle imply delay while in progress, especially in walking, but dawdle more clearly suggests an aimless wasting of time.

loitered at several store windows
children dawdling on their way home from school

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of procrastinate Yet, instead of taking advantage of this lull to prepare for the future by upgrading transmission lines and incorporating smart grid technologies en masse, policymakers procrastinated. Big Think, 22 Apr. 2026 Most Americans have no trust or will Millions of Americans put off writing estate plans and procrastinate about preparing trusts and wills, legal documents that deal with distributing assets upon death. Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2026 If the Wolves have simply procrastinated on bringing their best defensive effort all season, test day is Saturday. Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 17 Apr. 2026 As things change rapidly with tech, media and society, people procrastinate, waiting for approval. Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for procrastinate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for procrastinate
Verb
  • And schools that delay submitting transfer paperwork until the last minute thinking investigators will be too busy to spot an error don’t understand the process.
    Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2026
  • The initial flight was delayed, causing everyone on the flight to miss their connections in Iceland.
    Josh Rivera, USA Today, 21 June 2026
Verb
  • Reforms to encourage foreign investment and stimulate economic growth have stalled in Congress.
    ABC News, ABC News, 20 June 2026
  • Frequently asked questions about capsule wardrobes Plenty of people like the idea of a capsule wardrobe but stall on the details.
    Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 19 June 2026
Verb
  • As pests crawl through it, its jagged edges scrape their exoskeletons, dehydrating and killing them.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 18 June 2026
  • For cybersecurity companies, identifying a digital agent crawling a website used to be enough evidence of malicious activity.
    Rachyl Jones, semafor.com, 17 June 2026
Verb
  • As the conflict in the Middle East has dragged on, pressure has been building on Capitol Hill to intervene.
    Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 18 June 2026
  • In an unprecedented moved in May, Lebanon filed a formal complaint against Iran at the United Nations Security Council, directly accusing Tehran of violating the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations for interfering in its sovereign decisions and dragging the country into war.
    Mireille Rebeiz, The Conversation, 18 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Procrastinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/procrastinate. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on procrastinate

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster