Synonyms for delay

Synonyms for (noun) delay

Synonyms: delay, holdup

Definition: the act of delaying; inactivity resulting in something being put off until a later time

Similar words: inactivity

Definition: being inactive; being less active


Synonyms: delay, postponement, time lag, hold, wait

Definition: time during which some action is awaited

Usage: instant replay caused too long a delay; he ordered a hold in the action

Similar words: pause, break, intermission, interruption, suspension

Definition: a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something


Synonyms for (verb) delay

Synonyms: delay, retard, check

Definition: slow the growth or development of

Usage: The brain damage will retard the child's language development

Similar words: alter, change, modify

Definition: cause to change; make different; cause a transformation

Usage: The advent of the automobile may have altered the growth pattern of the city; The discussion has changed my thinking about the issue


Synonyms: delay, detain, hold up

Definition: cause to be slowed down or delayed

Usage: Traffic was delayed by the bad weather; she delayed the work that she didn't want to perform

Similar words: retard, slow, slow down, slow up, decelerate

Definition: lose velocity; move more slowly

Usage: The car decelerated


Synonyms: stay, delay, detain

Definition: stop or halt

Usage: Please stay the bloodshed!

Similar words: delay, retard, check

Definition: slow the growth or development of

Usage: The brain damage will retard the child's language development


Synonyms: delay

Definition: act later than planned, scheduled, or required

Usage: Don't delay your application to graduate school or else it won't be considered

Similar words: hold back, hold off, wait

Definition: wait before acting

Usage: the scientists held off announcing their results until they repeated the experiment


Visual thesaurus for delay