Synonym Chooser

How is the word defer distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of defer are postpone, stay, and suspend. While all these words mean "to delay an action or proceeding," defer implies a deliberate putting off to a later time.

deferred buying a car until spring

When could postpone be used to replace defer?

While in some cases nearly identical to defer, postpone implies an intentional deferring usually to a definite time.

the game is postponed until Saturday

When is it sensible to use stay instead of defer?

While the synonyms stay and defer are close in meaning, stay often suggests the stopping or checking by an intervening agency or authority.

the governor stayed the execution

Where would suspend be a reasonable alternative to defer?

The words suspend and defer are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, suspend implies temporary stoppage with an added suggestion of waiting until some condition is satisfied.

business will be suspended while repairs are underway

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 defer But being an actor, even for just that day, scratched an itch for me of that dream deferred. Dave Quinn, People.com, 7 Apr. 2025 This advanced strategy allows executives to lock in a future sale price for vested shares while deferring delivery (and taxes) to a later date. Anatoly Iofe, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025 Each of these strategies allows investors to either defer taxes, reduce taxable income, or offset gains with losses. Larry Light, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025 Other buyers are deferring car purchases because of tariffs. Bailey Schulz, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for defer

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Cite this Entry

“Defer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defer. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

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