Definitions

dilatory

[dil-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] / ˈdɪl əˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i /

ADJECTIVE

procrastinating

Synonyms

WEAK

backward behindhand dallying delaying deliberate laggard late lax lazy leisurely lingering loitering moratory neglectful negligent putting off remiss slack slow sluggish snail-like tardy tarrying time-wasting unhasty unhurried

Antonyms

WEAK

diligent eager enthusiastic hard-working ready zealous

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Public opinion has split between those who have taken the king to task for being dilatory and those who think he has played the situation correctly.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 5, 2026

When there is a claim, however frivolous and intentionally dilatory, it must receive the same slow service as every other claim at the courthouse window.

From Salon • Feb. 16, 2024

The BTP's review found that while no act or omission in the investigation was made maliciously, there was a "lack of professional inquisitiveness exacerbated by dilatory and lazy practices".

From BBC • Aug. 10, 2023

Gerry Adams, another key player in the 1998 talks as head of the political wing of the Irish Republican Army, said he would be "very, very dilatory about making changes to the Good Friday Agreement".

From Reuters • Apr. 3, 2023

The dilatory limousine came rolling up the drive.

From " The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Vocabulary lists containing dilatory

Languor Management: Synonyms for "Lazy"

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It must have slipped my mind...

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What Was That Again? Words With Difficult-to-Remember Meanings

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