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 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
Of course, all of this was just so much procrastination in the face of my actual task, which awaited me in the GoonVerse’s stream room.
—Daniel Kolitz, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 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
In my case, work-procrastination often takes the form of needless research.
—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
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
Of course, all of this was just so much procrastination in the face of my actual task, which awaited me in the GoonVerse’s stream room.
—Daniel Kolitz, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 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
In my case, work-procrastination often takes the form of needless research.
—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
-
From plane seatback organizers to carry-on cup holders, these accessories can save you from boarding delays and other headaches—starting at $9.—
Jillian Dara,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Hi Lab positions HyDee as a response to those challenges by eliminating charging delays associated with battery systems.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Restrictions should be guided by bloodwork and kidney function, not by blanket food avoidance.—
Brittany Poulson,
Verywell Health,
12 Jan. 2026
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Research on psychological problems such as anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder shows that avoidance and reassurance provide quick relief but deepen long-term suffering.—
Dr. Jesse Finkelstein,
Time,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Polk said the astronaut is stable but that diagnostic uncertainty in microgravity prompted NASA to err on the side of bringing the crew member back to Earth.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
9 Jan. 2026
-
But in the second season of the series, which wrapped last Sunday, a new sense of uncertainty, reflection, and maturity grips the central characters, making for even better television.—
Michael M. Rosen,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Suddenly, 23 years of waiting and four years of building could be measured in 3 yards.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Jan. 2026
-
That's why waiting makes things worse, not better.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Procrastination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/procrastination. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
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