Synonyms for defer
- adjourn
- delay
- extend
- hold up
- postpone
- prolong
- set aside
- shelve
- stall
- suspend
- waive
- block
- detain
- hinder
- impede
- intermit
- lengthen
- obstruct
- procrastinate
- prorogue
- protract
- remit
- retard
- slow
- stay
- table
- give rain check
- hang fire
- lay over
- put on back burner
- put on hold
- put on ice
Antonyms for defer
- advance
- allow
- carry out
- continue
- do
- expedite
- forward
- further
- maintain
- shorten
- abbreviate
- aid
- assist
- encourage
- facilitate
- help
- let go
- promote
- push
- support
- force
- forge
- hasten
- hurry
EXAMPLES FROM THE WEB FOR DEFER
He was not the man to defer in that way to the prejudices of others.
There was no familiarity of manner there; the clerks liked him, but they had to defer to him and obey him.
I defer it to a time when this curiosity will be more in place.
I will defer my departure until the afternoon train to-morrow for that purpose.
She had put off writing week after week, but now could defer no longer.
Would it not be in better taste to defer it till the servants had left the room?
Would it not be better to defer this till after the inquest?
No, no, he must not think of it; he must work and wait, and defer hope.
Some will defer their answers, until they can catch those of their comrades, for a guide.
Eighteen and twenty-five are ages at which to marry, not ages to defer.
WORD ORIGIN
"to delay," late 14c., differren, deferren, from Old French differer (14c.), from Latin differre "carry apart, scatter, disperse;" also "be different, differ;" also "defer, put off, postpone," (see differ). Etymologically identical with differ; the spelling and pronunciation differentiated from 15c., perhaps partly by association of this word with delay.