postpone

verb

(ˌ)pōs(t)-ˈpōn How to pronounce postpone (audio)
Definition of postponenext
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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 The 81-year-old rock legend already had canceled or postponed a number of tour dates this year. — Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026 The Stockbridge City Council postponed by one week an investigative hearing that could lead to the mayor’s removal from office, after his attorney argued the city failed to give him proper notice of the hearing as required by the city’s charter. — Reed Williams, AJC.com, 11 Aug. 2026 Prior to that show, Stewart, who has a history of thyroid cancer surgery, canceled and postponed concert stops in June following a diagnosis of acute upper respiratory infection, laryngitis and vocal fold strain. — Ilana Kaplan, PEOPLE, 11 Aug. 2026 That evening, Golden 1 Center and Boone publicly announced the Sacramento leg of the artist’s Wanted Man Tour had been postponed because of the artist’s health problems. — Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for postpone
Recent Examples of Synonyms for postpone
  1. defer
  2. delay
Verb
  • From there, an investor can elect to defer the gain by purchasing new QSBS with the sale proceeds within 60 days.
    — Sharon Olson, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • For instance, medical and veterinary students can get a 36-month grace period and the option to fully defer payments during residency or fellowship.
    — Rebecca Safier, USA Today, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of defer
Verb
  • An Iranian military official said that Qatar has been delaying a probe into the fate of three pilots, whom Iran says have been held there for months, according to state media.
    — Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The opening of the Wynn Al Marjan Island has been delayed to September 2027.
    — Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of delay

Browse Nearby Words

postmortems
postpone
postponed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Postpone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/postpone. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on postpone

Nglish: Translation of postpone for Spanish Speakers

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