as in delay
a state, a habit, or an instance of being slow or late about doing something that should be done
Though she has a tendency towards procrastination, she never fails to turn in her papers on time.
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Recent Examples of procrastination
The Trimmer understands that a strategic delay is not procrastination, but a patient wait until the situation clarifies itself.
—
David Brooks, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
Raking and Disposing of Leaves in the Fall Any home gardener who likes indulging in procrastination will love to hear this one.
—Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 25 Feb. 2026
Perfectionism is just a socially acceptable form of procrastination.
—Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
The triple-check system helps circumvent the ‘shame’ component of procrastination, Le Cunff says.
—Sophie Caldwell, CNBC, 29 Jan. 2026
Rather than seeing patterns like procrastination as flaws, the book encourages people to understand their protective function.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 18 Jan. 2026
The mind collapses into repetitive loops of thought and behavior, like procrastination or irritability, that may promise safety in the moment but over time drain creativity and the capacity to thrive.
—Jon Rosemberg, Fortune, 9 Dec. 2025
The time to shop the best Cyber Monday home deals is quickly dwindling, so consider this your procrastination wake-up call.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 1 Dec. 2025
Less procrastination = more flavanol intake!
—Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 13 Nov. 2025
David Brooks, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
Raking and Disposing of Leaves in the Fall Any home gardener who likes indulging in procrastination will love to hear this one.
—Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 25 Feb. 2026
Perfectionism is just a socially acceptable form of procrastination.
—Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
The triple-check system helps circumvent the ‘shame’ component of procrastination, Le Cunff says.
—Sophie Caldwell, CNBC, 29 Jan. 2026
Rather than seeing patterns like procrastination as flaws, the book encourages people to understand their protective function.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 18 Jan. 2026
The mind collapses into repetitive loops of thought and behavior, like procrastination or irritability, that may promise safety in the moment but over time drain creativity and the capacity to thrive.
—Jon Rosemberg, Fortune, 9 Dec. 2025
The time to shop the best Cyber Monday home deals is quickly dwindling, so consider this your procrastination wake-up call.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 1 Dec. 2025
Less procrastination = more flavanol intake!
—Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 13 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for procrastination
Noun
-
Caltrans advised drivers to use the prior exit to reach their destinations and avoid delays.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
As the delay stretched on, some players played cards.—
Betsy Helfand,
Twin Cities,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Now a quarter century into a career largely characterized by mystique and a seeming avoidance of the public eye, Atobe has spent the better part of the 2020s slowly opening up, with some bemusement.—
Maxie Younger,
Pitchfork,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The models listed by the IIHS all include accident avoidance and mitigation features that can keep drivers and occupants safe.—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images LONDON — European stocks were volatile in early trading on Tuesday and were on course to round-off their worst monthly performance in six years, as uncertainty over the trajectory of the Iran war lingers.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
31 Mar. 2026
-
With ongoing uncertainty surrounding his playing status, the network’s stance signals a deliberate shift away from off-course drama and toward preserving the Masters’ golf-first presentation.—
Rowan Fisher-Shotton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
He was transported to the base of the mountain to a waiting ambulance.—
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The coverage of the launch was a bit of a waiting game, with a hold resolved before the final 10-minute countdown.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Procrastination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/procrastination. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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