Synonyms of postpone

postpone

verb

(ˌ)pōs(t)-ˈpōn 

as in to defer

to assign to a later time

we'll have to postpone a decision until we have all the information

Synonyms & Similar Words

• defer
• delay
• wait
• suspend
• shelve
• hesitate
• put over
• put off
• remit
• lay over
• hold over
• hold off (on)
• pause
• stay
• prolong
• slow
• hold up
• extend
• lengthen
• retard
• detain
• stretch (out)
• protract

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• do
• act
• work (on)
• deal (with)
• decide (upon)

Synonym Chooser

How is the word postpone distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of postpone are defer, stay, and suspend. While all these words mean "to delay an action or proceeding," postpone implies an intentional deferring usually to a definite time.

the game is postponed until Saturday

Where would defer be a reasonable alternative to postpone?

The meanings of defer and postpone largely overlap; however, defer implies a deliberate putting off to a later time.

deferred buying a car until spring

In what contexts can stay take the place of postpone?

While in some cases nearly identical to postpone, stay often suggests the stopping or checking by an intervening agency or authority.

the governor stayed the execution

When can suspend be used instead of postpone?

While the synonyms suspend and postpone are close in meaning, suspend implies temporary stoppage with an added suggestion of waiting until some condition is satisfied.

business will be suspended while repairs are underway

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of postpone

Because of the flooding from the Fox River, the park district announced earlier in the week that its Earth Day Community In Action Cleanup, scheduled for Saturday, was postponed. —Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026

Vance was initially supposed to head to Pakistan for negotiations last weekend, but the trip was postponed after talks fell apart. —Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 24 Apr. 2026

Non-essential spending will also be eliminated, which includes items that can be postponed without affecting the core operations of the department. —Briauna Brown, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026

Judge Stephen Mock granted a defense request to postpone Chee’s arraignment until June 1. —Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 23 Apr. 2026