procrastination

noun

Definition of procrastinationnext
as in delay
a state, a habit, or an instance of being slow or late about doing something that should be done Though she has a tendency towards procrastination, she never fails to turn in her papers on time.

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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 procrastination Most of my procrastination stems from being too lazy to expertly fold my clothes properly in my suitcase to avoid wrinkles. — Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 1 Aug. 2026 Overthinking and procrastination are two of the habits people confess to most readily and blame on themselves most harshly, and two of the habits most often misread. — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 But those days of procrastination are coming to an end, and some lawmakers are facing up to that reality. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 28 June 2026 City planning, procrastination, pomp and circumstance aside, the planet’s biggest sporting has arrived. — Gavin Godfrey, AJC.com, 17 June 2026 Read the Bee’s full guide to Election Day procrastination here. — Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026 The low-pressure gatherings taking place in coffee shops, accommodating bars and private homes are intended to turn tedious and procrastination-inducing adult responsibilities into productive time with a twist. — ABC News, 3 June 2026 No amount of procrastination can undo the fact that language forces a decision about who is speaking, who is addressed, and who is being spoken about. — Erika Landström, Artforum, 2 June 2026 The sports ticket market generally doesn’t reward procrastination but this one might. — Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 13 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for procrastination
  1. delay
  2. avoidance
  3. uncertainty
  4. waiting
Noun
  • Airlines around the world are currently plagued by delays in their efforts to deliver new premium offerings — including increasing passenger demand for privacy, high-tech connectivity and inflight entertainment — to meet the surge in air travel.
    — Edward Russell, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The delay will give the city more time to consider employee parking, parking demand and other ways to get downtown.
    — Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of delay
Noun
  • But for less intimate relationships, the perception of wrongness was the key predictor of negative feelings and avoidance.
    — Andras Molnar, The Conversation, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Several consumer-grade DJI drones, including the Air 3S, Avata 360, Mini 5 Pro, and Neo 2, use LiDAR for obstacle avoidance and are likely to be affected.
    — Jim Fisher, PC Magazine, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of avoidance
Noun
  • Analysts say the shift could reshape Africa’s automotive industry by creating jobs, developing local supply chains and accelerating adoption of electric vehicles, although weak infrastructure and policy uncertainty remain significant obstacles.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • If insurance falls short, the third line involves strategic litigation defense, aiming to settle cases early to minimize costs and uncertainty.
    — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of uncertainty
Noun
  • What’s old is new (with less waiting) Disney is working on long-term projects to build new lands and thrill rides.
    — Natasha Chen, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
  • In an open letter published July 1, ACI Europe and two other associations said waiting times reached five hours during peak periods.
    — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of waiting

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Procrastination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/procrastination. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on procrastination

Nglish: Translation of procrastination for Spanish Speakers

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