SHELVE Synonyms: 28 Similar and Opposite Words

shelve

verb

ˈshelv

Definition of shelve

as in to postpone

to assign to a later time let's shelve the project for now

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 shelve The project was shelved after the company merged with Time Warner. — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026 However, that proposal was shelved after securing consensus among Group of Seven nations to coordinate a joint strategic petroleum reserve release. — CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026 As tensions between Broward County and its sheriff’s office escalate, commissioners have voted to shelve the department’s budget supplement at a meeting. — Zoey Thomas, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026 Bamboo Insurance and Amaero shelved theirs around the same time. — Morgan Chittum, Fortune, 6 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shelve

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shelve

Verb

In Madera, organizers postponed the third annual Oaxacan Guelaguetza festival, amid growing fears, according to the group’s Facebook account.

— Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
In February, the Louvre postponed a competition to select an architect in charge of expanding the museum that had been announced less than a year prior.

— Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of postpone

Verb

At least 75 data center projects worth more than $130 billion total were delayed or cancelled in the first three months of this year, according to a Data Center Watch report published in June.

— Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
By the time the architectural plans were finished, COVID hit, and Hotel Lucile was further delayed.

— Mickey Rapkin, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of delay

Verb

Trump issued an executive order last week allowing truckers to use tax-exempt offroad diesel on the highway, but the tax obligation is deferred not eliminated.

— Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026
The court has deferred a decision on the lease and sublease rejections until a hearing Wednesday.

— Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of defer

Browse Nearby Words

shelters

shelve

shelved

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Shelve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shelve. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of shelve

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

zenith

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 16

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes