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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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 Do your homework, but postpone decisions until tomorrow. —

Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 15 July 2025 Following the House settlement, one D-I institution, the University of West Georgia, chose to postpone launching its stunt program from 2026 to 2027. —

Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 14 July 2025 Investigations into the storm's impact are ongoing, and Fourth of July events in several towns have been canceled or postponed. —

Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 July 2025 Weather or unforeseen circumstances could postpone either closure, according to the city. —

arkansasonline.com, 9 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for postpone

Recent Examples of Synonyms for postpone

Verb

Non-grantor trusts may also be used to defer or avoid state income tax.

— Martin Shenkman, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
For example, someone who falls behind on the bills because of job loss would no longer qualify to defer student loan payments, Bañez said.

— Anne Marie D. Lee, CBS News, 11 July 2025

Definition of defer

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postmortems

postpone

postponed

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“Postpone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/postpone. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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Last Updated: 28 Jul 2025 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of postpone

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Synonyms of postpone

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