Defer

English

Verb

Defer (third-person singular simple present Defers, present participle deferring, simple past and past participle deferred)

1. To delay, or postpone, especially to postpone induction into military service.

Verb

Defer (third-person singular simple present Defers, present participle deferring, simple past and past participle deferred)

1. (law) To submit to the opinion or desire of another in respect to their judgment or authority.

Adverbs for Defer

suavely; unfeignedly; condescendingly; pleasantly; scrupulously; particularly; servilely; resentfully; punctiliously; ungrudgingly; habitually; admiringly; carelessly; sympathetically.

Synonyms for Defer

put off, delay, postpone, adjourn, procrastinate, prolong, protract, hinder, retard, restrain, suspend, break up, dissolve.

Antonyms for Defer

expedite, hasten, accelerate, advance, forward, further, quicken, stimulate, force.

Related terms

• differ

Derived terms

• deferral
• deference

Thesaurus

accede, accede to, accommodate, acquiesce, adapt, adjourn, adjust, agree, agree to, assent, block, bow, bow to, capitulate, cave, comply with, conform, continue, cringe, defer to, delay, detain, drag out, extend, fawn, hang fire, hang up, hinder, hold off, hold over, hold up, impede, intermit, knuckle, knuckle under, lay aside, lay by, lay over, lengthen, obstruct, pigeonhole, postpone, prolong, prorogate, prorogue, protract, push aside, put aside, put off, put on ice, put over, recess, remit, reserve, retard, set aside, set by, shelve, shift off, sleep on, slow, stall, stand over, stave off, stay, stretch out, submit, submit to, succumb, suspend, table, take a recess, truckle, waive, yield to

Pronunciation

• IPA: /dɪˈfɜː(ɹ)/
• Rhymes: -ɜː(r)