Synonyms of shelve

shelve

verb

ˈshelv 

as in to postpone

to assign to a later time

let's shelve the project for now

Synonyms & Similar Words

• postpone
• delay
• defer
• wait
• suspend
• put over
• remit
• put off
• lay over
• hold over
• hold off (on)
• hesitate
• hold up
• pause
• prolong
• slow
• stay
• lengthen
• extend
• stretch (out)
• retard
• detain
• protract

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• do
• work (on)
• act
• deal (with)
• decide (upon)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of shelve

The process even included filming an unaired pilot with a few different actors, which was ultimately shelved. — Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 12 July 2026

The Athletic reported in March that FSG had effectively shelved plans to buy a second club with Edwards left frustrated by the impasse. — James Pearce, New York Times, 10 July 2026

Originally intended for Take Me Apart, the track was shelved after creative differences with a producer led Kelela to take that album in a different direction. — Chelsea Daniel, Vogue, 10 July 2026

Executives also weighed shelving a target that would have had Microsoft match its hourly data center electricity use with renewables. — Matt Day, Fortune, 9 July 2026