procrastinate

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 By now, most with significant others (who did NOT procrastinate and wait until the last minute,) have already gone out to buy the requisite greeting cards and chocolates. Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025 Laura Levine/Corbis, via Getty Images Ten creative minds on how to start, pivot and productively procrastinate. Kate Guadagnino, New York Times, 21 Nov. 2024 Nearly 33% of Americans procrastinate filing their taxes, according to a survey from real estate company IPX1031, which polled roughly 1,000 U.S. residents in January. Kate Dore, Cfp®, Ea, CNBC, 21 Feb. 2025 People procrastinate, and couples usually have to call, text, or email right before the cutoff date. Alice Gibbs, Newsweek, 20 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for procrastinate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for procrastinate
Verb
  • There's also great uncertainty as Trump seeks negotiations with China and begins talks with other counties whose larger tariffs were delayed by 90 days.
    Christopher Cann, USA Today, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Funds should go out within 30 days of the final approval hearing on July 17, 2025, but they may be delayed by appeals or injunctions.
    Ryley Amond, CNBC, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The framework of the mineral deal had stalled in February following a contentious Oval Office meeting between Trump, Vance and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky.
    Angela Charlton and Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The talks come amid growing concern about Trump's approach to Russia and stalled U.S. efforts to negotiate a ceasefire.
    Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Freya crawled on top of her, interrupting the seizure.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Continue to update your site with new, high-quality blogs, and search engines will more frequently crawl your site.
    Tonia Ryan, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Paleontologists used to wonder if some marine reptiles did the same, awkwardly dragging themselves onto beaches to lay eggs rather than birthing their young at sea like whales do.
    Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Apr. 2025
  • The longer the trade war drags on, the more likely Washington and Beijing will find other ways to retaliate beyond economics.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Procrastinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/procrastinate. Accessed 1 May. 2025.

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