POSTPONE Synonyms: 28 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'postpone' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of postpone are defer , stay , and suspend . While all these words mean "to delay an action or proceeding," postpone implies an intentional deferring usually to a definite time. // the game is postponed until Saturday

Q: Where would 'defer' be a reasonable alternative to 'postpone'?

The meanings of defer and postpone largely overlap; however, defer implies a deliberate putting off to a later time. // deferred buying a car until spring

Q: In what contexts can 'stay' take the place of 'postpone'?

While in some cases nearly identical to postpone , stay often suggests the stopping or checking by an intervening agency or authority. // the governor stayed the execution

Q: When can 'suspend' be used instead of 'postpone'?

While the synonyms suspend and postpone are close in meaning, suspend implies temporary stoppage with an added suggestion of waiting until some condition is satisfied. // business will be suspended while repairs are underway

postpone

verb

(ˌ)pōs(t)-ˈpōn

Definition of postpone next

as in to defer

to assign to a later time we'll have to postpone a decision until we have all the information

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word postpone distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of postpone are defer, stay, and suspend. While all these words mean "to delay an action or proceeding," postpone implies an intentional deferring usually to a definite time.

the game is postponed until Saturday

Where would defer be a reasonable alternative to postpone?

The meanings of defer and postpone largely overlap; however, defer implies a deliberate putting off to a later time.

deferred buying a car until spring

In what contexts can stay take the place of postpone?

While in some cases nearly identical to postpone, stay often suggests the stopping or checking by an intervening agency or authority.

the governor stayed the execution

When can suspend be used instead of postpone?

While the synonyms suspend and postpone are close in meaning, 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 postpone This was postponed until 2025 after San Francisco officials reached an agreement with the supermarket chain to keep the location open. —

Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025 After postponing the vote, the Indiana House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee has passed a bill that would require Gary to pay approximately $12.3 million to East Chicago and Michigan City. —

Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025 Legislative sources said her committee appearance has been postponed while Lamont and political allies work to build a majority on the committee. —

Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 13 Feb. 2025 While the 25 percent levy on imports from Mexico and Canada are postponed for 30 days, the 10 percent tariff on certain goods from China went into effect Tuesday morning. —

Vicki M. Young, Sourcing Journal, 4 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for postpone