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.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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 procrastination
Having a place for your essentials (and having every essential in its place) can be the difference between a productive workday and a day of procrastination.
—
Kristi Kellogg, Architectural Digest, 24 Sep. 2025
Thriving amid this tumult requires embracing the cycle of struggle and rebirth; redefining your identity around core strengths and not titles, and setting goals that leave no room for procrastination.
—Maggie McGrath, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Working is one of the most dangerous forms of procrastination.
—Gretchen Rubin, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
But for me the book was a colossal procrastination of not fully feeling the pain of the Russian invasion.
—Maria Reva
september 3, Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025
During a meeting with the head of Egyptian intelligence, some of these factions also criticized Hamas’s procrastination on reaching a cease-fire—which may account for Hamas’s immediate approval of the August 18 proposal without amendments.
—Leila Seurat, Foreign Affairs, 26 Aug. 2025
Kristi Kellogg, Architectural Digest, 24 Sep. 2025
Thriving amid this tumult requires embracing the cycle of struggle and rebirth; redefining your identity around core strengths and not titles, and setting goals that leave no room for procrastination.
—Maggie McGrath, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Working is one of the most dangerous forms of procrastination.
—Gretchen Rubin, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
But for me the book was a colossal procrastination of not fully feeling the pain of the Russian invasion.
—Maria Reva
september 3, Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025
During a meeting with the head of Egyptian intelligence, some of these factions also criticized Hamas’s procrastination on reaching a cease-fire—which may account for Hamas’s immediate approval of the August 18 proposal without amendments.
—Leila Seurat, Foreign Affairs, 26 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for procrastination
Noun
-
The Pontifical Academies also warned that delay raises systemic risks (economic, social, and health related) echoing the investor logic that policy certainty lowers risk premia.—
Felicia Jackson,
Forbes.com,
3 Oct. 2025
-
That delay could expose Club name Boeing to sizable non-cash accounting charges.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Other auto digital features include auto fit-to-screen and automatic obstacle avoidance.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
4 Oct. 2025
-
The film benefits from its avoidance of a too-tidy, sentimental outcome, even if some in the audience might be left craving one.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
That uncertainty comes at a time when many Americans’ budgets may already be stressed from years of elevated inflation, a slowing economy and possibly more tariffs.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The longer the shutdown lasts, the more indicators may be delayed, and the more uncertainty takes over.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Every day was a waiting game to see whether one would be scheduled.—
Sam Blum,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Requirements differ between states, with some requiring a one-week waiting period before someone qualifies for payments, the OPM said.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Procrastination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/procrastination. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share