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

Audiences, meanwhile, have already started pitching the series to other streamers such as Netflix, HBO Max and Paramount+ in hopes that it is not shelved altogether. — Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026

Harrington broke the two metatarsal bones in his right foot in the seventh game last year, shelving him for 2 1/2 months. — Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026

LaPorta, dealing with a hip injury after taking a hit in Monday’s practice, is likely to be shelved for the foreseeable future. — Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Kodak famously shelved a digital camera prototype, fearing such a camera would undermine its own profits in film. — Brendon Davis, Baltimore Sun, 20 Aug. 2026