Synonyms for

Defer

Verb / dɪˈfɜ: / Another word for defer — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

to put off or delay

Synonyms & similar words

accede putover submit shelve bow table putoff remit givein postpone prorogue holdover setback postpone delay procrastinate wait suspend shelve table adjourn reschedule rearrange

Synonyms by register

Formal

postpone adjourn suspend delay

Informal

put off hold off wait and see

Literary

procrastinate stave off

Antonyms

advance hasten expedite hurry rush accelerate press

Common collocations

  • defer payment
  • defer decision
  • defer action
  • defer judgment
  • defer to
  • defer consideration
  • defer implementation

Word family

noun deferment
verb defer
adjective deferrable

Usage note

When used with 'to', 'defer' means to yield to someone else's judgment or opinion. Be careful not to confuse this with 'differ', which means to be unlike.

Example sentences

  1. I will defer my dentist appointment until next week.
  2. The meeting was deferred until the following day.
  3. I need to defer my decision until I have more information.
  4. She decided to defer her college enrollment for a year.
  5. He chose to defer to his boss's judgment.

Quotes

  • The best way to defer a decision is to ask for more information.
  • We must defer to the experts on this matter.
  • It is better to defer a bad decision than to make a hasty one.

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