deferred

adjective

de·​ferred di-ˈfərd How to pronounce deferred (audio)
Synonyms of deferred
1
: withheld for or until a stated time
a deferred payment
2
: charged in cases of delayed handling
telegraphs sent at deferred rates

Examples of deferred in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Across the country, laws have changed, communities have taken a harder look at aging infrastructure and deferred maintenance, and homeowners have become more engaged in conversations about the financial sustainability and safety of their buildings. — Christyne D. Santisteban, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026 Most systems gradually lose efficiency over 15 to 20 years, and routine mechanical breakdowns, corrosion, rust and deferred maintenance are almost always excluded. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 30 July 2026 That starts with understanding your APR and how a 0% introductory APR offer differs from deferred interest. — Dawn Papandrea, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026 His toying with the family occurs while the public celebrates Max as a beneficiary of deferred justice. — Daniel D'addario, Variety, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for deferred

Word History

Etymology

from past participle of defer entry 1

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of deferred was in 1651

Phrases Containing deferred

Rhymes for deferred

See All Rhymes for deferred

Browse Nearby Words

deferral
deferred
deferred bond
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Deferred.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deferred. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Legal Definition

deferred

adjective
de·​ferred
di-ˈfərd
: withheld or delayed for or until a stated time
a deferred payment
deferred prosecution

More from Merriam-Webster on deferred

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for deferred

Nglish: Translation of deferred for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of torpor

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All