as in wait
an instance or period of being prevented from going about one's business
there was a delay for our boarding while the airplane unloaded incoming passengers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to linger
to move or act slowly
she ordered the kids to stop delaying and to get to bed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to postpone
to assign to a later time
our guests delayed their departure until after dinner
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of delay
Jennifer Maas, Variety, 18 Apr. 2025
At least three victims in the case also opposed a trial delay, prosecutors said.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 18 Apr. 2025
Joseph Choi, The Hill, 18 Apr. 2025
Every year, thousands of life-saving clinical trials are delayed or derailed—not because of a lack of innovation, but because of outdated, fragmented data systems.
—Amy Guttman, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for delay
Noun
Following an initial delay, Nintendo has set the preorder date for its Switch 2 console for April 24.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 18 Apr. 2025
At least three victims in the case also opposed a trial delay, prosecutors said.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
Pincus filed a brief on behalf of the American Public Health Association, which argued that invalidating the mandate could increase the cost of preventive care and the cost of health care overall, as patients would delay treatment for preventable diseases and emergencies.
—Joseph Choi, The Hill, 18 Apr. 2025
Every year, thousands of life-saving clinical trials are delayed or derailed—not because of a lack of innovation, but because of outdated, fragmented data systems.
—Amy Guttman, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for delay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for delay
Noun
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Results are shared through an online portal, removing long wait times or the need to return to the hospital.—
Jennifer Lotito,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
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Weekend two of Coachella is here — along with wait times.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
Verb
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And though a few dozen people left the dinner early to catch the end or start of various performances, which included Charli XCX and the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, about half of the long table lingered after dessert to continue chatting with their tablemates.—
Ye Fan,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
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Still, memories of the show lingered in a few significant minds: both Stephen Sondheim and Fred Ebb felt its influence.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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But on Wednesday, April 16, ticket holders received a message that the event was postponed.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
17 Apr. 2025
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This reflects the trend of more Americans either opting not to have kids or postponing them until later.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
15 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The longer the trade war drags on, the more likely Washington and Beijing will find other ways to retaliate beyond economics.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Apr. 2025
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Paleontologists used to wonder if some marine reptiles did the same, awkwardly dragging themselves onto beaches to lay eggs rather than birthing their young at sea like whales do.—
Riley Black,
Smithsonian Magazine,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Companies like Resource Royalty LLC have made these investments more accessible, particularly for those utilizing 1031 exchanges to defer taxes and diversify their portfolios.—
Fred Hubler,
Forbes.com,
22 Apr. 2025
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The price tag of Black motherhood isn’t just about dollars and cents, but about dreams deferred and choices no one should have to make.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
21 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Simply fill the moat with water to keep unwanted pests from crawling down to the nectar ports.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
12 Apr. 2025
-
And setting your baby down on the ground to crawl around isn’t the cleanest option.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Antetokounmpo poked the ball away from Nembhard briefly and a scramble ensued, but the Pacers came up with the ball.—
Eric Nehm,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2025
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The eye poke left Muhammad unable to continue, and the fight was ruled a no contest.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Some markets see massive disparity (Atlanta, Philadelphia, Chicago, Detroit, Pittsburgh), just one shows an MLB club lagging behind the NBA (Boston), and in Minneapolis-St. Paul, the Twins, Timberwolves, and Wild are largely even.—
Maury Brown,
Forbes.com,
18 Apr. 2025
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The percentage of students meeting grade level in reading on the state test has been stagnant for at least a decade, and Fort Worth ISD has consistently lagged behind the state’s other big urban districts in reading.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Delay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/delay. Accessed 27 Apr. 2025.
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