as in wait
an instance or period of being prevented from going about one's business
there was a delay for our boarding while the airplane unloaded incoming passengers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to linger
to move or act slowly
she ordered the kids to stop delaying and to get to bed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to postpone
to assign to a later time
our guests delayed their departure until after dinner
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of delay
Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025
Of course, any rain delays could throw the schedule into chaos.
—Merlisa Lawrence Corbett, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2025
The Istanbul meeting was initially proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in response to a ceasefire-or-sanctions ultimatum given to Moscow by Kyiv’s European allies – which many saw as a clear attempt by the Kremlin leader to distract and delay.
—Kathleen Magramo, CNN Money, 24 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for delay
Noun
Additionally, traveling to the courthouse for in-person submissions is time-intensive, and mailing documents introduces further delays.
—Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025
Of course, any rain delays could throw the schedule into chaos.
—Merlisa Lawrence Corbett, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
Verb
After a lengthy debate, the three moderates picked up two votes in their effort to delay those changes, not enough to win the day.
—David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2025
The Istanbul meeting was initially proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in response to a ceasefire-or-sanctions ultimatum given to Moscow by Kyiv’s European allies – which many saw as a clear attempt by the Kremlin leader to distract and delay.
—Kathleen Magramo, CNN Money, 24 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for delay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for delay
Noun
-
In healthcare, Canadian hospitals are experiencing record wait times.—
Andy J. Semotiuk,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
-
Additionally, average call wait times have risen from just over an hour to 86 minutes this year, reaching a peak of 112 minutes in January following the passage of the Social Security Fairness Act.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 May 2025
Verb
-
The pitch lingered in the air before diving under Jackson Merrill’s whiffing bat for an inning-ending strikeout.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
-
Tariffs, inflation and lingering fears of a recession have left many Americans uneasy and pulling back on spending.—
Michelle Chapman,
Los Angeles Times,
21 May 2025
Verb
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Some bankers, for example, are telling their clients to postpone M&A until U.S. trade policy becomes clearer.—
Rusty Wiley,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
-
Hartford Courant Central opener postponed: Thursday’s games in the NEC tournament in Wappingers Falls, N.Y. were postponed due to rain.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
22 May 2025
Verb
-
Further afield is the prospect of an India-EU FTA, although that process has dragged on for a decade.—
Vasuki Shastry,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2025
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That dragged its stock down even though the company also reported a better profit for the latest quarter than expected.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
23 May 2025
Verb
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The agreement appears to essentially lock in the exemptions in perpetuity, requiring any future Ukrainian legislation to defer and yield to this international treaty.—
Andrew Leahey,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
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The city can achieve their highest statutory purpose, boost local jobs and the local economy, and address critical environmental needs — needs that will become more expensive if deferred.—
Jim Peugh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 May 2025
Verb
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The woman crawled to her bathroom and pulled the emergency cord, then the facility staff called 911, deputies said.—
Olivia Lloyd,
Sun Sentinel,
22 May 2025
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Here, 15 of the softest sheets that will convince you that crawling into bed at 9 p.m. is equivalent to self-care.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
16 May 2025
Verb
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Within seconds, Phaedra poked fun at newbies Brit Eady, Angela Oakley, and Kelli Ferrell.—
Robyn Merrett,
StyleCaster,
25 May 2025
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These two words have become an international meme, poking fun at Trump, especially since Putin ignored him.—
Trudy Rubin,
Twin Cities,
23 May 2025
Verb
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Wages lagged inflation in 2021 and 2022, meaning people earned more but could afford less.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
26 May 2025
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The movie lags, then strains to get to the next game at the exact time the malaise sets in.—
Paul A. Thompson,
Pitchfork,
22 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Delay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/delay. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
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