DEFER Synonyms: 28 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

defer

verb

di-ˈfər

Definition of defer

as in to postpone

to assign to a later time we agreed to defer a discussion of the issue until we had more information

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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 The catch is the tax obligations don’t go away completely, they are just deferred until next year. — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026 The official causes of death for both were deferred, pending further investigation. — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026 However, planning before the sale provides opportunities to reduce or defer that liability and, in certain circumstances, exclude qualifying gains from taxation. — D. Scott Kenik, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026 As the number of distractor calls increased, females got worse at picking the attractive call, took longer to decide, and were more likely to defer choosing within the 10-minute window altogether. — Claire Therese Hemingway, The Conversation, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for defer

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defer

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

More than 350 flights were canceled or delayed at Moscow airports, local media reported, as planes were grounded in response to incoming drones.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
Green denied that characterization and declined to elaborate on the challenges that delayed the delivery beyond the missing money.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of delay

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defensives

defer

deference

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“Defer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defer. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of defer

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