PROCRASTINATE Synonyms: 89 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'procrastinate' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of procrastinate are dally , dawdle , delay , lag , and loiter . While all these words mean "to move or act slowly so as to fall behind," procrastinate implies blameworthy delay especially through laziness or apathy. // procrastinates about making decisions

Q: When could 'dally' be used to replace 'procrastinate'?

While the synonyms dally and procrastinate are close in meaning, dally suggests delay through trifling or vacillation when promptness is necessary. // stop dallying and get to work

Q: When might 'delay' be a better fit than 'procrastinate'?

In some situations, the words delay and procrastinate are roughly equivalent. However, delay usually implies a putting off of something (such as a beginning or departure). // we cannot delay any longer

Q: When can 'lag' be used instead of 'procrastinate'?

While in some cases nearly identical to procrastinate , lag implies failure to maintain a speed set by others. // lagging behind in technology

Q: How are the words 'loiter' and 'dawdle' related as synonyms of 'procrastinate'?

Both loiter and dawdle imply delay while in progress, especially in walking, but dawdle more clearly suggests an aimless wasting of time. // loitered at several store windows // children dawdling on their way home from school

procrastinate

verb

Definition of procrastinate next

as in to delay

to be slow or late about doing something that should be done; to delay doing something until a later time because you do not want to do it, because you are lazy, etc. He procrastinated and missed the submission deadline. He told her to stop procrastinating and get to work.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word procrastinate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of procrastinate are dally, dawdle, delay, lag, and loiter. While all these words mean "to move or act slowly so as to fall behind," procrastinate implies blameworthy delay especially through laziness or apathy.

procrastinates about making decisions

When could dally be used to replace procrastinate?

While the synonyms dally and procrastinate are close in meaning, dally suggests delay through trifling or vacillation when promptness is necessary.

stop dallying and get to work

When might delay be a better fit than procrastinate?

In some situations, the words delay and procrastinate are roughly equivalent. However, delay usually implies a putting off of something (such as a beginning or departure).

we cannot delay any longer

When can lag be used instead of procrastinate?

While in some cases nearly identical to procrastinate, lag implies failure to maintain a speed set by others.

lagging behind in technology

How are the words loiter and dawdle related as synonyms of procrastinate?

Both loiter and dawdle imply delay while in progress, especially in walking, but dawdle more clearly suggests an aimless wasting of time.

loitered at several store windows

children dawdling on their way home from school

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 procrastinate Interviews by Kate Guadagnino Advice on Beginning Ten creative minds on how to start, pivot and productively procrastinate. —

Kate Guadagnino, New York Times, 21 Nov. 2024 In most years, roughly 90% of ballots are counted by the Thursday after Election Day, but that number is harder to hit if voters procrastinate. —

Kale Williams, Axios, 4 Nov. 2024 This means companies can, in effect, procrastinate and wait until customer demand is present before producing an actual product or service. —

Kaihan Krippendorff robert C. Wolcott, Harvard Business Review, 23 Oct. 2024 In fact, some advocacy organizations are crying foul, citing the danger of procrastinating and attributing the delay to the power of special interest groups. —

Mary Foley, Forbes, 7 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for procrastinate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for procrastinate

Verb

President Donald Trump delayed ending the trade loophole that allows low-value packages to arrive duty-free from China on Friday, meaning the products can continue to enter the U.S. without tariffs—for now.

— Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2025
And as Thursday's vote shows, when Republicans are aligned, Democrats only have the power to delay, not derail, their plans.

— Stephen Neukam, Axios, 7 Feb. 2025