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 Natomas resident Sarah Arizaga, 46, wasn’t familiar with all of the candidates, so procrastinated on submitting her ballot until the final day. — Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for procrastinate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for procrastinate

Verb

The tests could easily do the opposite, as people with results suggesting cancer require follow-up testing that overwhelms our healthcare system, potentially delaying diagnoses for people with cancer.

— Torie Bosch, STAT, 24 Oct. 2026
The game was one of many across the Southland delayed or postponed by lightning, particularly in Orange County.

— Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of delay

Verb

Max Pomeroy returned the ensuing kickoff 49 yards to midfield, but the Argyle drive stalled at the five-yard line and Preston Edwards came on to boot a 22-yard field goal to up the lead to 45-35.

— Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
Without one, the country risks stalling tools central to its competitiveness, or building them at the expense of the communities next door.

— Neil Chatterjee, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of stall

Verb

On thinner material, that gives you a fighting chance at keeping heat and warpage under control without crawling along at a miserable pace.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 22 Oct. 2026
The bystander told the woman to get down on the floor before crawling into the home beneath the heaviest heat and dragging her to safety, according to the fire department.

— Richard Ramos, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of crawl

Verb

Season 2 picks up from where things left off, with Michael and Diana having barely arrived in Spain when they are dragged back into the fold to answer questions around Ricardo’s death.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2026
Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s spokesman denied Britain was being dragged in to the conflict.

— Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of drag

Browse Nearby Words

proclivity

procrastinate

procrastinated

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“Procrastinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/procrastinate. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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