DEFERS Synonyms: 28 Similar and Opposite Words

defers

verb

present tense third-person singular of defer

as in postpones

to assign to a later time we agreed to defer a discussion of the issue until we had more information

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Recent Examples of defers But holding back defers crucial conversations about goals, methods, and the limits of American aid. — Dafna H. Rand, Foreign Affairs, 4 Aug. 2026 Quinn defers on the proposal but starts seeing Oliver in their new setting, creating the love triangle. — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 24 July 2026 While this strategic pivot defers short-term revenue and creates market uncertainty, with full returns anticipated by 2027, it's seen as a calculated gamble to build a larger future revenue stream and expand its competitive edge. — Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026 Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani’s 10-year, $700-million contract defers all but $2 million of his annual salary until after the contract expires. — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026 The agreement defers many of the hardest questions — including how to wind down Iran’s nuclear program — until the 60-day negotiation period for a final deal. — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2026 White often has been tight-lipped regarding her players’ injuries and repeatedly defers questions to the medical staff, which isn’t allowed to speak publicly about players’ health. — James Boyd, New York Times, 23 May 2026 When one person defers financial control to another, power concentrates in one place. — Jillian Sanders, Time, 22 Apr. 2026 Postponing elections thus also defers possibilities for political transformation. — Jasmin Lilian Diab, The Conversation, 5 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defers

Verb

The injury postpones any plans to send the 20-year-old out on loan.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Or someone managing diabetes who postpones a preventive visit because grocery shopping, prescription pickups, and coordinating multiple specialists compete for limited time and energy.

— Aimée K. Dailey, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of postpones

Verb

So pretending imbalance isn't happening — like when one partner is regularly absorbing all the work and smiling through it — just delays the same resentment that often festers in exchange relationships.

— Mark Travers, CNBC, 30 Aug. 2026
That is not only a problem for expanding power grid infrastructure to support growing electricity demand, but also delays the process of replacing aging power transformers.

— Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 24 Aug. 2026