procrastination

noun

Definition of procrastinationnext
as in delay
a state, a habit, or an instance of being slow or late about doing something that should be done Though she has a tendency towards procrastination, she never fails to turn in her papers on time.

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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 procrastination But it should be based on tax projections, not procrastination or faith in the retirement account fairy. — Ronald Stair, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026 Or maybe the cause of your procrastination is more complicated. — Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026 Most of my procrastination stems from being too lazy to expertly fold my clothes properly in my suitcase to avoid wrinkles. — Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 1 Aug. 2026 But those days of procrastination are coming to an end, and some lawmakers are facing up to that reality. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 28 June 2026 City planning, procrastination, pomp and circumstance aside, the planet’s biggest sporting has arrived. — Gavin Godfrey, AJC.com, 17 June 2026 Read the Bee’s full guide to Election Day procrastination here. — Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026 The low-pressure gatherings taking place in coffee shops, accommodating bars and private homes are intended to turn tedious and procrastination-inducing adult responsibilities into productive time with a twist. — ABC News, 3 June 2026 No amount of procrastination can undo the fact that language forces a decision about who is speaking, who is addressed, and who is being spoken about. — Erika Landström, Artforum, 2 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for procrastination
  1. delay
  2. avoidance
  3. uncertainty
  4. waiting
Noun
  • Musk has repeatedly treated the sports car as a lower priority than Tesla’s other projects, while also blaming supply chain shortages for earlier delays.
    — Bilin Lin, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The freight forwarder said Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah Port is congested with 10-to-12-day landside delays after cargo is discharged.
    — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of delay
Noun
  • The company’s ev1 resembles a power wheelchair but operates like an autonomous vehicle, with 360-degree sensors that provide proactive collision avoidance and smart driving capabilities.
    — Matt Alderton, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
  • An estate planning attorney can speak about protecting a family’s future without guaranteeing probate avoidance or asset protection.
    — Matthew Nigro, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of avoidance
Noun
  • For a government overseeing a population dominated by mobile expats, that created a lot of uncertainty in terms of establishing an economic base that can support a welfare system and basic state infrastructure.
    — Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The shooting has brought medical expenses and uncertainty to her family, according to the fundraising campaign.
    — Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of uncertainty
Noun
  • No stopping, no struggling to find a charging station, no waiting.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 Oct. 2026
  • If deleting your account takes an email to support, a waiting period and a follow-up, that friction is a design choice.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of waiting

Browse Nearby Words

procrastinating
procrastination
procrastinator
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Cite this Entry

“Procrastination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/procrastination. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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