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
When the future feels uncertain, paralysis can look like procrastination.
—
Ali Kaufman, Sun Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2026
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
Ali Kaufman, Sun Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for procrastination
Noun
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But outside of the horror community and cult-movie devotees, there’s still ample misunderstanding about what Faces of Death really is — and that’s not likely to be remedied by the arrival of Daniel Goldhaber’s 2026 film, Faces of Death, now hitting theaters after a lengthy postproduction delay.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
10 Apr. 2026
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Diapers may use synthetic musks to create fragrances as well as plastics that contain chemicals such as phthalates and volatile organic compounds, which studies have linked to developmental delays, reproductive harm, endocrine system disruption and cancer.—
Kate Sequeira,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
For the motorcycle sector, this is a true revolution that creates previously unheard-of opportunities for active safety and accident avoidance.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
10 Apr. 2026
-
An unprecedented six-week period of avoidance followed.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But the price drops may not last long with the uncertainty in the Middle East.—
Miami Herald Staff,
Miami Herald,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Manufacturers are flocking to the country, escaping geopolitical uncertainty with a China +1 strategy.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The protocol says that after the syringes of saline and pentobarbital are administered, a team leader signals to the warden and a five-minute waiting period begins.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
However, Rodgers, like last year, is playing the waiting game and remains a free agent.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Procrastination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/procrastination. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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