Synonyms of suspend

suspend

verb

sə-ˈspend 

1

as in to postpone

to bring to a formal close for a period of time

the judge suspended the hearing to give the district attorney more time to process evidence

Synonyms & Similar Words

• postpone
• interrupt
• adjourn
• recess
• defer
• prorogue
• discontinue
• reserve
• prorogate
• revoke
• halt
• terminate
• disband
• shelve
• disperse
• stop
• rescind
• call
• dissolve
• table
• recall
• put off
• break off
• conclude
• hold off
• intermit
• close
• nullify
• annul
• end
• invalidate
• abort
• repeal
• quash
• abrogate
• wind up
• wrap up
• call off
• negate
• void
• break up
• drop

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• continue
• open
• extend
• proceed
• launch
• inaugurate
• prolong
• carry on
• resume
• renew
• reopen
• draw out
• call
• summon
• assemble
• convene
• rally
• muster
• convoke

2

as in to hang

to place on an elevated point without support from below

suspended a banner proclaiming the town's "Heritage Days" from the archway

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hang
• swing
• dangle
• sling
• hook
• mount
• string
• pin
• drape
• extend (out)
• tack
• protrude
• depend
• stick out
• project
• balance
• jut
• overhang
• cascade
• festoon
• fall
• garland
• poise

Synonym Chooser

How is the word suspend distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of suspend are defer, postpone, and stay. While all these words mean "to delay an action or proceeding," suspend implies temporary stoppage with an added suggestion of waiting until some condition is satisfied.

business will be suspended while repairs are underway

When would defer be a good substitute for suspend?

While the synonyms defer and suspend are close in meaning, defer implies a deliberate putting off to a later time.

deferred buying a car until spring

When can postpone be used instead of suspend?

Although the words postpone and suspend have much in common, postpone implies an intentional deferring usually to a definite time.

the game is postponed until Saturday

When might stay be a better fit than suspend?

The synonyms stay and suspend are sometimes interchangeable, but stay often suggests the stopping or checking by an intervening agency or authority.

the governor stayed the execution

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of suspend

Excitement was lacking from Arsenal matches too often last season, as their football became more functional with key players injured and suspended for large spells. —Art De Roché, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2025

Pausing or suspending your inclusion work will cost you in the long-term. —Julie Kratz, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025

These sheets remain suspended in liquid and measure over one micron across, much larger than those made with traditional mechanical methods. —Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 14 Sep. 2025

Madrid, Spain — The final stage of the Vuelta a Espana was suspended on Sunday after several large pro-Palestinian protests disrupted the premier cycling event in the Spanish capital Madrid, according to organizers. —Pau Mosquera, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2025