DELAY Synonyms: 142 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'delay' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of delay are dally , dawdle , lag , loiter , and procrastinate . While all these words mean "to move or act slowly so as to fall behind," delay usually implies a putting off of something (such as a beginning or departure). // we cannot delay any longer

Q: Where would 'dally' be a reasonable alternative to 'delay'?

The words dally and delay can be used in similar contexts, but dally suggests delay through trifling or vacillation when promptness is necessary. // stop dallying and get to work

Q: When can 'lag' be used instead of 'delay'?

In some situations, the words lag and delay are roughly equivalent. However, lag implies failure to maintain a speed set by others. // lagging behind in technology

Q: How do 'loiter' and 'dawdle' relate to one another, in the sense of 'delay'?

Both loiter and dawdle imply delay while in progress, especially in walking, but dawdle more clearly suggests an aimless wasting of time. // loitered at several store windows // children dawdling on their way home from school

Q: When is 'procrastinate' a more appropriate choice than 'delay'?

The synonyms procrastinate and delay are sometimes interchangeable, but procrastinate implies blameworthy delay especially through laziness or apathy. // procrastinates about making decisions

delay 1 of 2

noun

di-ˈlā

Definition of delay

as in wait

an instance or period of being prevented from going about one's business there was a delay for our boarding while the airplane unloaded incoming passengers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

delay

2 of 2

verb

as in to linger

to move or act slowly she ordered the kids to stop delaying and to get to bed

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to postpone

to assign to a later time our guests delayed their departure until after dinner

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word delay different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of delay are dally, dawdle, lag, loiter, and procrastinate. While all these words mean "to move or act slowly so as to fall behind," delay usually implies a putting off of something (such as a beginning or departure).

we cannot delay any longer

Where would dally be a reasonable alternative to delay?

The words dally and delay can be used in similar contexts, but dally suggests delay through trifling or vacillation when promptness is necessary.

stop dallying and get to work

When can lag be used instead of delay?

In some situations, the words lag and delay are roughly equivalent. However, lag implies failure to maintain a speed set by others.

lagging behind in technology

How do loiter and dawdle relate to one another, in the sense of delay?

Both loiter and dawdle imply delay while in progress, especially in walking, but dawdle more clearly suggests an aimless wasting of time.

loitered at several store windows

children dawdling on their way home from school

When is procrastinate a more appropriate choice than delay?

The synonyms procrastinate and delay are sometimes interchangeable, but procrastinate implies blameworthy delay especially through laziness or apathy.

procrastinates about making decisions

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 delay

Noun

Costelloe denied that the delay was due to the fact that the original allegations involved men who were over age 18 when the alleged abuse occurred. — ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026 Pre-snap penalties have been a blight on the fan experience, as the 65 delay-of-game calls are the most on record through the first four weeks of any NFL season. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Verb

Across Central California, the drop is slightly delayed as the cool air moves in from the north slightly later. — Sean MacAday, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2026 And more people are entering the system than leaving it, delaying help for newly homeless families. — Nicole Santa Cruz, ProPublica, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for delay

Recent Examples of Synonyms for delay

Noun

To give you an inside scoop on what’s coming down the pike in the next few months, the automotive experts at Edmunds have picked five vehicles that promise to be well worth the wait.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026
There isn’t another dwelling for miles around, just the island's beautiful rolling, untouched hillside with undiscovered ancient ruins lying in wait.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of wait

Verb

Wallace lingered in the car for a few minutes once slowing to a stop, though — long enough for health workers to unload a stretcher that Wallace ultimately didn’t use.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 11 Oct. 2026
While Beverly Hills and West Hollywood bounced back after the pandemic, Santa Monica continues to struggle with retail vacancies and lingering economic woes.

— Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of linger

Verb

Court proceedings for the case were postponed in April, when Superior Court Judge Jason Disbrow ordered that Edge be transferred to a state psychiatric facility after authorities said the veteran lacked the mental capacity to proceed to trial.

— Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 7 Oct. 2026
All other homecoming activities were postponed except for the dance, which will include additional security, Timberline Principal Chad Wright and school district officials said in an email to parents and staff.

— Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of postpone

Verb

Oil prices have stayed above $100 per barrel as the Middle East conflict dragged on with few signs of a diplomatic off-ramp.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
But as the weeks dragged on, and the talks between the companies continued, Ellison and his team felt that they were not being taken seriously, and that WBD was preferencing other bidders.

— Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of drag

Verb

The judge deferred ruling on Rashbaum’s constitutional challenge until after trial, and the issue became moot when the jury acquitted Renaud on all counts.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026
The catch is the tax obligations don’t go away completely, they are just deferred until next year.

— Matt Egan, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of defer

Verb

Researchers have developed a paper-thin foot membrane that lets crawling microrobots harvest electricity directly from the ground beneath them, ditching heavy onboard batteries by turning metal and silicon surfaces into an active power source.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 8 Oct. 2026
In real-world tests, the hand crawled across 14 different surfaces including smooth floors, metal grates, grass, and gravel.

— Edd Gent, IEEE Spectrum, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of crawl

Verb

Sergio Flores | Bloomberg | Getty Images PepsiCo on Thursday reported quarterly earnings and revenue that topped analysts' expectations, fueled by international growth as its North American business continues to lag.

— Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
His message to men dealing with low energy, slow recovery or lagging strength is practical.

— Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of lag

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dekes

delay

delayed

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Style

“Delay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/delay. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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verb

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