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 next

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

Examples of defer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Advertisement Now, after deferring her enrollment at UCLA last year to train for the Olympics, Chiles is coming back to Westwood. —

Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2024 Councilmembers Jonathan Bingle and Michael Cathcart noted the lack of a review before passing and tried to defer a vote on that basis but to no avail. —

Tim Clouser | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 25 July 2024 One day after the Medical Examiner’s Office in Los Angeles deferred Simmons’ cause of death Monday, officials confirmed his cause of death was under investigation. —

Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 19 July 2024 The Medical Examiner’s Office announced Monday that his cause of death has been deferred, meaning that an investigation and additional testing are needed, People reported. —

Zoe G. Phillips, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for defer

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'defer.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.