postpone

verb

post·​pone (ˌ)pōs(t)-ˈpōn How to pronounce postpone (audio)
postponed; postponing
Synonyms of postpone

transitive verb

1
: to put off to a later time : defer
2
a
: to place later (as in a sentence) than the normal position in English
postpone an adjective
b
: to place later in order of precedence, preference, or importance
postponable
(ˌ)pōs(t)-ˈpō-nə-bəl How to pronounce postpone (audio)
adjective
postponement
(ˌ)pōs(t)-ˈpōn-mənt How to pronounce postpone (audio)
noun
postponer noun

Synonyms of postpone

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defer, postpone, suspend, stay mean to delay an action or proceeding.

defer implies a deliberate putting off to a later time.

deferred buying a car until spring

postpone implies an intentional deferring usually to a definite time.

the game is postponed until Saturday

suspend implies temporary stoppage with an added suggestion of waiting until some condition is satisfied.

business will be suspended while repairs are underway

stay often suggests the stopping or checking by an intervening agency or authority.

the governor stayed the execution

Examples of postpone in a Sentence

The baseball game was postponed until tomorrow because of rain. we'll have to postpone a decision until we have all the information
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In part due to the lawsuit, HBO Max was the only major new service to have to postpone its debut. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 1 Sep. 2026 Your monthly payment and total loan cost may increase as a result of postponing your payment and extending your term. — Maya Benjamin,dan Avery, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026 Researchers can use this moment to finally build the ethical infrastructure around the cultivation of insider sources and source compensation that the field has postponed for too long. — Arie Perliger, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026 Due to growing health problems last fall, the artist reduced her public appearances, including postponing six concerts at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. — Jaeden Pinder, Rolling Stone, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for postpone

Word History

Etymology

Latin postponere to place after, postpone, from post- + ponere to place — more at position

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of postpone was in the 15th century

Rhymes for postpone

See All Rhymes for postpone

Browse Nearby Words

postponable
postpone
postponement
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Postpone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/postpone. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

postpone

verb
post·​pone pōs(t)-ˈpōn How to pronounce postpone (audio)
postponed; postponing
: to put off (as an action or event) until a later time
rain forced us to postpone the picnic
postponement
-mənt How to pronounce postpone (audio)
noun

Legal Definition

postpone

transitive verb
post·​pone
postponed; postponing
1
: to put off to a later time
2
: to place later in precedence, preference, or importance
specifically : to subordinate (a lien) to a later lien
postponable adjective
postponement noun
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