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Showing results for play for time. Search instead for play fortuna.
Definitions

play for time

VERB
check
Synonyms
STRONGEST
arrest control curb halt prevent reduce stop
STRONG
baffle bar bit bottleneck bridle checkmate choke circumvent constrain counteract delay discourage foil frustrate harness hold impede inhibit interrupt limit moderate neutralize obstruct obviate pause preclude rebuff repress repulse retard snub squelch stay suppress tame terminate thwart withhold
WEAK
cut short hold back hold down hold in keep back nip in the bud rein in slacken pace slow down
Antonyms
STRONGEST
aid allow assist continue encourage help let go
STRONG
abet advance approve facilitate forward free permit release
WEAK
expedite indulge liberate
VERB
procrastinate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
dawdle hesitate
STRONG
dally drag lag linger loiter pause prolong protract stall stay tarry temporize wait
WEAK
be dilatory defer drag one's feet give the runaround goldbrick hang fire hold off let slide play a waiting game postpone shilly-shally suspend
Antonyms
STRONG
abbreviate advance carry out complete continue do expedite finish forge forward further go hasten help hurry leave persist push rush shorten
WEAK
accelerate go ahead quicken
VERB
stall
Synonyms
STRONGEST
halt hamper hinder interrupt postpone put off slow stay stop suspend
STRONG
arrest brake check die equivocate fence filibuster hedge prevaricate quibble stand still stonewall tarry temporize
WEAK
avoid the issue beat around the bush drag one's feet hold off not move shut down slow down stand off stand still take one's time
Antonyms
STRONGEST
advance aid allow assist carry out continue do encourage expedite forward help permit promote push
WEAK
further

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.

"The RFU can play for time all it likes, but this is a mass movement by a stronger, united team," said a spokesperson for the collective.

From BBC • Jan. 9, 2025

Androulakis dismissed Mitsotakis’ comments on Monday as a bid to play for time, saying the prime minister “methodically avoided providing explanations.”

From Washington Times • Aug. 8, 2022

In some cases, the lawsuits may only be a play for time.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 27, 2022

But critics are already branding it as an effort to play for time.

From New York Times • Jan. 1, 2014

It's useless—useless for you to play for time.

From The Paternoster Ruby by Walk, Charles Edmonds

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.