procrastination

noun

Definition of procrastinationnext
as in delay
a state, a habit, or an instance of being slow or late about doing something that should be done Though she has a tendency towards procrastination, she never fails to turn in her papers on time.

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of procrastination Or maybe the cause of your procrastination is more complicated. — Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026 Most of my procrastination stems from being too lazy to expertly fold my clothes properly in my suitcase to avoid wrinkles. — Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 1 Aug. 2026 Overthinking and procrastination are two of the habits people confess to most readily and blame on themselves most harshly, and two of the habits most often misread. — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 But those days of procrastination are coming to an end, and some lawmakers are facing up to that reality. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 28 June 2026 City planning, procrastination, pomp and circumstance aside, the planet’s biggest sporting has arrived. — Gavin Godfrey, AJC.com, 17 June 2026 Read the Bee’s full guide to Election Day procrastination here. — Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026 The low-pressure gatherings taking place in coffee shops, accommodating bars and private homes are intended to turn tedious and procrastination-inducing adult responsibilities into productive time with a twist. — ABC News, 3 June 2026 No amount of procrastination can undo the fact that language forces a decision about who is speaking, who is addressed, and who is being spoken about. — Erika Landström, Artforum, 2 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for procrastination
  1. delay
  2. avoidance
  3. uncertainty
  4. waiting
Noun
  • The watchdog warned that shipyard delays are expected to keep more submarines idle through 2030, creating additional costs and reducing the fleet’s operational capacity.
    — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Due to high traffic, the website is experiencing some technical delays.
    — Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of delay
Noun
  • According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the upgrade is intended to support mission-essential navigation and weather avoidance while improving the aircraft’s capabilities for both conventional and nuclear missions.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Delaying a medical appointment is a common response to feeling stressed about what’s going on with your body, according to a 2021 study on health care avoidance.
    — Glamour, Glamour, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of avoidance
Noun
  • Future Vikings Ring of Honor member Harrison Smith’s status remains up in the air, but the team’s uncertainty at the position suggests his return would be welcome.
    — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The uncertainty has left many California homeowners at war with their insurers.
    — Evan Bush, NBC news, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of uncertainty
Noun
  • Hunter could be in another waiting game for when either Williams or Corum suffers an injury.
    — Nate Atkins, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • There is no standard waiting period that applies to every settlement, so the money could be due the same day or within days of reaching an agreement — or it could be paid over a longer period in some situations.
    — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of waiting

Browse Nearby Words

procrastinating
procrastination
procrastinator
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Cite this Entry

“Procrastination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/procrastination. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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