Synonym Chooser

How is the word suspend distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of suspend are defer, postpone, and stay. While all these words mean "to delay an action or proceeding," suspend implies temporary stoppage with an added suggestion of waiting until some condition is satisfied.

business will be suspended while repairs are underway

When would defer be a good substitute for suspend?

While the synonyms defer and suspend are close in meaning, defer implies a deliberate putting off to a later time.

deferred buying a car until spring

When can postpone be used instead of suspend?

Although the words postpone and suspend have much in common, postpone implies an intentional deferring usually to a definite time.

the game is postponed until Saturday

When might stay be a better fit than suspend?

The synonyms stay and suspend are sometimes interchangeable, but stay often suggests the stopping or checking by an intervening agency or authority.

the governor stayed the execution

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 suspend This has caused Reese to grow increasingly frustrated, publicly questioning the talent on the Sky's current roster in comments to The Chicago Tribune earlier this month, which she was ultimately suspended by the team for. Reice Shipley, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025 Charnvirakul, a construction magnate, succeeds Paetongtarn Shinawatra, a member of the powerful Shinawatra family who was suspended in July after a phone call with a former Cambodian leader was leaked. Ben Smith, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2025 Construction has been temporarily suspended and will likely be delayed further in order to hire new staff. Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 8 Sep. 2025 Mygdal has since been suspended from his seats on those boards, and could be removed at their next meetings. Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for suspend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suspend
Verb
  • It was postponed indefinitely due to the federal takeover threat.
    Deena Zaru, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Consider postponing boating activities on the lake until a day with less wind.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Steele hung there pretending to be dead for two hours before managing to cut the chute lines and make his way to safety.
    Jim Clash, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Better yet, keep it in your gardening apron or hang a spray bottle on your garden gate.
    Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Recently published studies about people affected by the Maui and Los Angeles fires showed that beyond affecting heart and lung function and interrupting access to medical care, these climate disasters have led to higher rates of depression and even suicide.
    Lahari Vuppaladhadiam, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Chris and Emilia’s conversation is suddenly interrupted by a premature explosion, which was caused by a clumsy member of a militia group called the Sons of Liberty.
    Scott Meslow, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • For a locker room that’s been through a lot because the front office swung and missed on the worst quarterback trade in NFL history.
    Zac Jackson, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Busta also received an assist from Papoose and Joyner Lucas, all of them sharing lyrical wordplay and seamless tradeoffs as Busta swung between his trademark dichotomy of rapping to gruff bellowing.
    Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The language was tacked on in a last-minute amendment just before the legislature adjourned for the 2024 session.
    Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 4 Sep. 2025
  • There were reports of a possible last-minute deal on Wednesday, but a resolution didn’t manifest before lawmakers adjourned for the special session.
    Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The cucumber vines dangled over the stakes and cords.
    Manuel Muñoz, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
  • In the pictures, Jack sat back on a large cushion as his legs dangled on his father's shoulders.
    Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Suspend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suspend. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on suspend

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!