deferred

1 of 2

adjective

de·​ferred di-ˈfərd How to pronounce deferred (audio)
Synonyms of deferred
1
: withheld for or until a stated time
a deferred payment
2
: charged in cases of delayed handling
telegraphs sent at deferred rates

deferred

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of defer entry 1, defer entry 2

Examples of deferred in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Adjective
As a result, charges were dropped against two others in the COVID fraud case, while two of Ahmed’s former colleagues at Loretto recently received generous deferred prosecution deals that will leave them without a conviction. — Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026 These funds have been vital for reinforcing vulnerable coastal infrastructure against severe weather, addressing deferred maintenance, and ensuring the long-term preservation of key visitor-facing structures. — Lulu Vilas, Sun Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2026 The Cubs went from holding firm at four years and $115 million with limited deferred payments to financing this five-year, $175 million deal with $70 million in deferred money. — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026 Their compensation increasingly arrives in large, irregular blocks such as vested company stock, bonuses and deferred comp. — Meredith Moore, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deferred

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

from past participle of defer entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1651, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of deferred was in 1651

Phrases Containing deferred

Rhymes for deferred

See All Rhymes for deferred

Browse Nearby Words

deferral
deferred
deferred bond
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Deferred.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deferred. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Legal Definition

deferred

adjective
de·​ferred
di-ˈfərd
: withheld or delayed for or until a stated time
a deferred payment
deferred prosecution

More from Merriam-Webster on deferred

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