SUSPEND Synonyms: 83 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

suspend

verb

sə-ˈspend

Definition of suspend next

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

Examples 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 suspend Kansas City, Kansas, will not have trash pickup Monday. GFL, which provides trash service to several area communities, including Mission, North Kansas City and Belton, suspended services Monday as well. —

Chandler Boese, Kansas City Star, 6 Jan. 2025 While the Heat is on the West Coast for its six-game trip, Butler is able to work out and use the Heat’s facilities at Kaseya Center even while suspended. —

Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2025 The Maryland Department of Transportation also suspended MARC train service Monday. —

Michelle Deal-Zimmerman, Baltimore Sun, 6 Jan. 2025 His resignation hasn’t yet taken effect but new Commissioner Jessica Tisch suspended the mayor’s friend who he’s gone to bat for again and again despite Maddrey’s track record of abusing his authority and sleeping with cops under his command when the FBI raided his home on Thursday morning. —

Harry Siegel, New York Daily News, 4 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for suspend

Recent Examples of Synonyms for suspend

Verb

The team also had Thursday’s game against Charlotte postponed.

Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025
The Critics Choice Awards—slated for Sunday—were postponed due to the fires, the organization told Variety.

Antonio Pequeño IV, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025