You often face situations where something doesn’t happen on time, and that’s when the word delay comes in handy. But did you know there are many other great words that mean the same thing? Using synonyms like postpone, defer, stall, or hold up can make your writing or speech more interesting. This article will explore 25 easy and useful synonyms for delay, with examples to help you understand how to use each one clearly.
1. Postpone
To postpone means to put something off until a later time. It is often used when events or plans need to be moved to a different date. For example, if a meeting was supposed to happen today but now will happen next week, it is postponed. You can say, “We had to postpone the party because of the rain.” Postponing is common in everyday life, like rescheduling appointments or delaying tasks. When you postpone, you don’t cancel something but delay it with a clear plan to do it later. It’s a polite and formal way to talk about delays.
2. Defer
Defer means to delay something, often with permission or agreement. It’s similar to postpone but is sometimes more formal. For example, “She deferred her decision until she had more information.” You can also defer paying a bill, which means waiting to pay it later. This word is commonly used in schools, government, or business, like deferring exams or taxes. When you defer, you show respect by allowing time for something more important to happen first. Defer is a good word to use when you want to sound polite or official.
3. Suspend
To suspend something means to temporarily stop it for a while, often with the plan to start again later. For example, “The school suspended classes during the storm.” Suspension means a pause, not a permanent stop, so you expect the activity to continue after the break. It’s often used for rules, activities, or services that must stop due to a problem or safety issue. When you suspend something, you put it on hold but do not cancel it. This word is useful for describing interruptions that are temporary and necessary.
4. Procrastinate
Procrastinate means to delay or put off doing something, usually because you don’t want to do it or feel lazy. It’s a word often used when talking about bad habits or time management. For example, “He procrastinated on his homework and finished it late.” Procrastination can cause stress because tasks pile up. Unlike postponing, which is often planned, procrastinating is more about avoiding or waiting too long. People usually want to stop procrastinating because it can hurt their work or goals. This word is great for talking about personal delays.
5. Put off
To put off means to delay or postpone something, often by choice. It is a casual way of saying delay. For example, “She put off cleaning the house until the weekend.” When you put off a task or decision, you are choosing not to do it now but later. It’s a simple phrase that works well in conversation. Putting something off can sometimes lead to problems if delayed too long. It’s a useful phrase for everyday language because it sounds natural and clear.
6. Hold up
Hold up means to delay or slow down progress. It is often used when something or someone causes a pause or blockage. For example, “The traffic held us up for an hour.” This phrase is informal and common in spoken English. When you say something is holding you up, it means it is stopping you from moving forward or completing something on time. You can also use it to describe delays caused by problems or interruptions. Hold up is a quick way to talk about delays in daily life.
7. Stall
To stall means to stop or delay something by using tactics that slow down progress, often because of uncertainty or to avoid action. For example, “He stalled the meeting by asking many questions.” People stall when they want to buy more time or avoid a decision. It can also mean to stop an engine from running. This word has a negative meaning because it suggests avoiding or delaying on purpose. Stalling is common in conversations about negotiations or problem-solving where time is important.
8. Hinder
Hinder means to make it harder or slower for something to happen. It shows an obstacle or difficulty that causes delay. For example, “Heavy rain hindered the construction work.” When you hinder progress, you stop or slow it by making things difficult. This word is often used in formal writing or reports to describe problems. Hinder is stronger than delay because it means there is a barrier that must be overcome. It’s a good word to use when explaining why something cannot happen on time.
9. Hamper
To hamper means to slow down or stop progress by causing difficulties or restrictions. It’s very similar to hinder but can be more general. For example, “The lack of resources hampered the project’s success.” Hampering is not just about delay but about making things harder to do. It’s often used in business, sports, or any situation where obstacles exist. Hamper shows that something is in the way of smooth progress. Use it when you want to explain why things are slower or more complicated than expected.
10. Detain
Detain means to keep someone or something in a place and not let them go right away, often by official order. For example, “The police detained the suspect for questioning.” While it usually refers to people, it can also mean holding up a process or event. Detaining is a strong kind of delay because it stops movement or action by force or authority. It is often used in legal or security situations. Detain shows a serious and controlled form of delay.
11. Retard
To retard means to slow down the progress or development of something. It is a formal and somewhat old-fashioned word. For example, “The bad weather retarded the growth of crops.” Retard has a clear meaning of making something happen more slowly than it should. It is not often used in everyday speech but appears in scientific or technical contexts. It’s important to be careful with this word because it can be misunderstood or considered rude in some cases. Retard is precise but less common.
12. Interrupt
Interrupt means to stop an action or event for a short time by breaking into it. For example, “The phone call interrupted our conversation.” Interruptions cause delays because the original activity cannot continue smoothly. This word is often used in daily life, meetings, or speeches. Interruptions are usually temporary and annoying but don’t always cause a long delay. When something interrupts, it stops something else for a moment, causing you to wait or restart. It’s a very common way to talk about minor delays.
13. Obstruct
To obstruct means to block or stop movement or progress by placing something in the way. For example, “Fallen trees obstructed the road after the storm.” Obstruction causes delay by physically or metaphorically blocking something. It is often used in law, construction, or traffic reports. Obstruct is a strong word because it means to get in the way intentionally or accidentally. When you obstruct something, you create a clear barrier that must be removed before progress can continue.
14. Slow down
Slow down means to reduce speed or progress. It’s a simple and common phrase that shows something is happening more slowly than normal. For example, “The car slowed down near the school.” You can slow down work, movement, or any activity. It’s not a full stop but a decrease in speed that causes a delay. Slow down is easy to use in both casual and formal conversations. It’s perfect when you want to describe a gentle or temporary delay.
15. Drag out
To drag out means to make something take much longer than necessary, often on purpose. For example, “They dragged out the meeting with long speeches.” Dragging out is a negative way to describe delay because it shows wasting time or avoiding finishing. People drag things out when they don’t want to end something or want to use more time. This phrase is informal and used mostly in conversations about annoying or frustrating delays. It shows impatience with the length of the delay.
16. Prolong
Prolong means to make something last longer than it normally would. For example, “The doctor’s treatment prolonged the patient’s life.” Prolonging is a type of delay where the time of an event or process is extended. It can be good or bad depending on the situation. For example, you can prolong happiness or pain. This word is formal and often found in writing or speeches. Prolong clearly explains delays that increase the total length of time something takes.
17. Lag
To lag means to fall behind or move more slowly than others. For example, “The runner lagged behind the group.” Lagging causes delay because you are not keeping up with the expected pace. This word is often used in sports, technology (like lagging internet), and projects. When something lags, it is slower and causes the whole process to delay. Lag is informal but very clear for describing slower progress compared to others or a schedule.
18. Dawdle
Dawdle means to waste time by moving slowly or being slow to act. For example, “Don’t dawdle or we’ll be late for school.” Dawdling causes delays because it shows unnecessary slowness. It’s often used for children or people who are not in a hurry. This word has a playful or gentle meaning but shows a clear delay caused by not rushing. Dawdle is great for casual conversations or advice about not wasting time.
19. Linger
To linger means to stay longer than usual in a place or situation. For example, “She lingered at the party even after it ended.” Lingering delays leaving or moving on because of hesitation or enjoyment. It can be positive or negative depending on context. Sometimes lingering means enjoying the moment, but other times it means causing delay by not leaving. This word is soft and polite for talking about delays caused by staying too long.
20. Wait
Wait means to stay in one place or delay an action until something else happens. For example, “We waited for the bus in the rain.” Waiting is the most basic way to describe delay. Everyone waits at some point, and it can be planned or unexpected. Waiting causes delay because you are not moving forward until a condition is met. It is a neutral and common word, perfect for everyday use when you need to talk about any kind of delay.
21. Hesitate
To hesitate means to pause before doing something because you are unsure or nervous. For example, “He hesitated before answering the question.” Hesitating causes delay because it shows doubt or fear. This word is often used when talking about decisions or actions that need courage or confidence. Hesitate is a polite and natural way to describe a small delay caused by uncertainty. It’s useful in personal, professional, and social situations.
22. Reschedule
Reschedule means to change the time or date of an event or appointment to a later time. For example, “We rescheduled the meeting for next Monday.” Rescheduling is a planned and polite way to delay an event without canceling it. It shows flexibility and good organization. People reschedule when there is a conflict or problem with the original time. This word is common in work, school, and social settings and helps explain delays clearly and professionally.
23. Adjourn
To adjourn means to pause or end a meeting or session temporarily or permanently. For example, “The court adjourned for the day.” Adjourning is a formal way to delay or stop an event, usually with plans to return later. It is often used in legal, official, or formal meetings. When a meeting is adjourned, it is put on hold but not finished. This word adds a sense of formality and respect to delays in discussions or events.
24. Pause
Pause means to stop briefly before continuing. For example, “He paused to think before speaking.” Pausing is a short delay that usually helps improve the next action. It is common in speech, work, or activities where a break is needed. Pauses do not stop something for long but give time to breathe or prepare. This word is simple and useful for describing small and natural delays that are helpful or necessary.
25. Break
To break means to stop an activity for a short time before starting again. For example, “Let’s take a break before finishing the project.” Taking a break delays work or action but is often needed for rest or refreshment. Breaks are planned pauses that help people avoid burnout or mistakes. This word is common at work, school, or sports. Break is a friendly and positive way to talk about short delays that improve overall performance.
Final Thoughts
Delay has many different synonyms, each with its own special meaning and use. Knowing these words can help you explain situations better, whether you want to sound formal, casual, or polite. From postpone to break, these 25 words cover a wide range of delay types. Use them to make your writing more interesting and clear.
