procrastinate

Definition of procrastinatenext

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 Yet, instead of taking advantage of this lull to prepare for the future by upgrading transmission lines and incorporating smart grid technologies en masse, policymakers procrastinated. Big Think, 22 Apr. 2026 Most Americans have no trust or will Millions of Americans put off writing estate plans and procrastinate about preparing trusts and wills, legal documents that deal with distributing assets upon death. Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2026 If the Wolves have simply procrastinated on bringing their best defensive effort all season, test day is Saturday. Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 17 Apr. 2026 As things change rapidly with tech, media and society, people procrastinate, waiting for approval. Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for procrastinate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for procrastinate
Verb
  • Still, some experts say the lack of awareness may delay some eligible adults from taking advantage of the new coverage and getting on the treatments immediately.
    Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 28 June 2026
  • The last time Colombia played at Miami Stadium, the 2024 Copa América final against Argentina was delayed more than 75 minutes after a security breach involving ticketless fans, with some appearing to enter through air vents.
    Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 28 June 2026
Verb
  • How these issues are handled could fuel the engine of progress on some seemingly intractable issues over the next two years, or stall it.
    Evan Thies, New York Daily News, 27 June 2026
  • The campaign, which Zelenskyy has said aims to bring Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table, has choked Russian fuel supplies and military deliveries, stalling Moscow’s efforts on the battlefield and heaping pressure on Putin, Western officials and analysts say.
    ABC News, ABC News, 27 June 2026
Verb
  • Seltz’s system crawls hundreds of millions of pages a day, and returns results in under 200 milliseconds.
    Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 24 June 2026
  • The animal eventually crawled under a dock.
    Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • Especially someone that can drag his man around a little bit, take attention away from Anthony (Edwards).
    Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 25 June 2026
  • Ennis enters as the betting favorite, but Zayas owns size and reach edges and has vowed to drag the fight into the deep, physical championship rounds.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Procrastinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/procrastinate. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.

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