PROCRASTINATIONS Synonyms: 89 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'procrastinate' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of procrastinate are dally , dawdle , delay , lag , and loiter . While all these words mean "to move or act slowly so as to fall behind," procrastinate implies blameworthy delay especially through laziness or apathy. // procrastinates about making decisions

Q: When could 'dally' be used to replace 'procrastinate'?

While the synonyms dally and procrastinate are close in meaning, dally suggests delay through trifling or vacillation when promptness is necessary. // stop dallying and get to work

Q: When might 'delay' be a better fit than 'procrastinate'?

In some situations, the words delay and procrastinate are roughly equivalent. However, delay usually implies a putting off of something (such as a beginning or departure). // we cannot delay any longer

Q: When can 'lag' be used instead of 'procrastinate'?

While in some cases nearly identical to procrastinate , lag implies failure to maintain a speed set by others. // lagging behind in technology

Q: How are the words 'loiter' and 'dawdle' related as synonyms of 'procrastinate'?

Both loiter and dawdle imply delay while in progress, especially in walking, but dawdle more clearly suggests an aimless wasting of time. // loitered at several store windows // children dawdling on their way home from school

procrastinate

verb

Definition of procrastinate

as in to delay

to be slow or late about doing something that should be done; to delay doing something until a later time because you do not want to do it, because you are lazy, etc. He procrastinated and missed the submission deadline. He told her to stop procrastinating and get to work.

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How is the word procrastinate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of procrastinate are dally, dawdle, delay, lag, and loiter. While all these words mean "to move or act slowly so as to fall behind," procrastinate implies blameworthy delay especially through laziness or apathy.

procrastinates about making decisions

When could dally be used to replace procrastinate?

While the synonyms dally and procrastinate are close in meaning, dally suggests delay through trifling or vacillation when promptness is necessary.

stop dallying and get to work

When might delay be a better fit than procrastinate?

In some situations, the words delay and procrastinate are roughly equivalent. However, delay usually implies a putting off of something (such as a beginning or departure).

we cannot delay any longer

When can lag be used instead of procrastinate?

While in some cases nearly identical to procrastinate, lag implies failure to maintain a speed set by others.

lagging behind in technology

How are the words loiter and dawdle related as synonyms of procrastinate?

Both loiter and dawdle imply delay while in progress, especially in walking, but dawdle more clearly suggests an aimless wasting of time.

loitered at several store windows

children dawdling on their way home from school

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 procrastinate Travelers who procrastinated securing their summer getaway plane tickets might blanch after a glance at airfare costs. — Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 20 May 2026 Unfortunately, according to Schreiber, Congress is likely to continue to procrastinate. — Elliot Raphaelson, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026 Yet, instead of taking advantage of this lull to prepare for the future by upgrading transmission lines and incorporating smart grid technologies en masse, policymakers procrastinated. — Big Think, 22 Apr. 2026 What is your favorite way to procrastinate when you are meant to be working? — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for procrastinate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for procrastinate

Verb

During the first quarter of this year, around $130 billion worth of data center projects were blocked or delayed due to local opposition, according to a report from Data Center Watch.

— Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2026
The classroom pipeline feeds directly into Russia’s conscription system, which requires all 18-year-old men to complete one year’s military service, though in reality many avoid or delay being drafted.

— Bloomberg, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of delay

Verb

The death toll from the devastating floods and mudslides along the Nepal-China border has risen to at least 676 people, as rescue operations stall amid poor weather.

— Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Long lines snake toward bars selling the tournament’s speciality cocktail, and a David Chang stall cooks elevated chicken tenders.

— Albert Samaha, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of stall

Verb

Their only hope is for someone to crawl across the room to the spot with the most intense g-forces and turn it off.

— Keith Phipps, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026
Classicist and Roman plumbing expert Ann Olga Koloski-Ostrow suggests that private toilets might have been cut off from the municipal sewers to prevent animals crawling up the pipes and into homes.

— Andrew Coletti, Popular Science, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of crawl

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procrastinated

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“Procrastinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/procrastinate. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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